TREE BRACES

TREE BRACES
	Title: Tree Braces Type: Sculpture Year of Installation: 2006 Artist Name: Mario Parra & Elizabeth Thompson Funded By: City of Pensacola, CRA, & Sister Cities International Size: 4-8 Ft Medium: Cedar Location: Seville Square Seville Square is home to the reincarnation of Pensacola’s beloved downed Christmas tree.  The huge cedar, formerly located at the intersection of Palafox and Garden streets, was so heavily damaged following Hurricane Ivan in 2004, that it had to be removed.  In a joint project between the City of Pensacola, the Community Redevelopment Agency, and Pensacola Sister Cities, the trunk of the fallen tree was carved into three limb braces to support Seville Square’s massive live oaks.  Mario Parra and Elizabeth Thompson, sculptors and residents of Pensacola’s Sister City of Escazu, Costa Rica, created the colorful pieces that brace the low-hanging branches.  The figures highlight the rich historic culture of the downtown district and incorporate the bold colors of the colloquial architecture into the square where they can be enjoyed by citizens and visitors alike.