KEENE, N.H. (MyKeeneNow) A new sculpture will soon take its place along Keene’s Ashuelot River Park, marking the next step in the city’s commitment to public art. A ribbon-cutting ceremony for “Thought Cage,” a large-scale work by Vermont sculptor Christopher Curtis, will be held Sunday, Oct. 26, at 2 p.m. at the park.

The sculpture, on loan to the city, was organized through the efforts of Rick MacMillan and the Friends of Public Art of Keene. The installation aligns with the city’s 2010 master plan, which emphasizes public art as a key component of Keene’s long-term beautification and cultural goals.

Curtis, a Waterbury-based artist known for blending stone, steel, and light into reflective and organic forms, designed Thought Cage to encourage contemplation and conversation. The sculpture’s placement in the riverside park is intended to highlight both artistic expression and the surrounding natural beauty.

“This installation represents more than a single sculpture; it’s the beginning of a public art sculpture trail in the Monadnock Region, with Keene as the cornerstone,” said project organizer Rick MacMillan.

Georgia Cassimatis, executive director of Friends of Public Art, said she hopes the work will inspire residents and visitors alike. “I hope that the sculpture encourages people to pause, enjoy beauty, and reconnect with both art and nature,” she said.

Friends of Public Art, which has operated under the nonprofit Arts Alive since 2014, has led several local initiatives to bring more art into Keene’s shared spaces. More information about the group’s work is available at www.fpamonadnock.org.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony is open to the public. Attendees will have the chance to meet Curtis and celebrate the city’s expanding creative landscape.