PORTLAND, Maine — A new addition will be coming to the Portland Museum of Art, and patrons won’t even have to walk through museum doors to see it.
As part of First Friday Art Walk, on Nov. 7, Portland Museum of Art officials will unveil a giant sculpted numeral in Congress Square. The outdoor sculpture, “Seven,” by Robert Indiana will remain a permanent part of the museum’s collection. A ribbon-cutting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. with performances by local artists, including seven members of the Meddiebempsters singing group from Bowdoin College.
The 8-foot-tall work, made of steel, is part of a series by Indiana, which includes the numerals zero through nine. “Seven” was previously installed in Miami. Other works, dating as far back as 1980, reside at the Indianapolis Museum of Art.
“Seven” is a nod to the museum’s address, 7 Congress Square. The sculpture was purchased for an undisclosed sum, but a fundraising campaign has already raised $400,000 to support the acquisition. The campaign also recently launched an Indiegogo crowdfunding initiative targeting young art lovers.
The sculpture will be installed Monday, Nov. 3 on museum grounds near the former site of an informational kiosk. The installation previously received building permits and approval from the city’s Historical Preservation Committee.