Winning Sculpture Of Legacy Project Arrives In Portsmouth

PORTSMOUTH, NH — The winning sculpture of the Legacy Project contest, a 24-foot, three-ton stainless steel called "Endeavor," has been arrived in Bohenko Gateway Park.

The PNH400 Legacy sculpture was presented to the city of Portsmouth Tuesday and is now visible to all entering Portsmouth from the Market Street or Sarah Mildred Long Bridge gateways.

Its creator, Sijia Chen, conducted a series of live and virtual visioning sessions to collect residents’ ideas for the iconography to be included in the papercut designs in the final sculpture, the city said in a news release announcing the sculpture's unveiling.

These images all connect to Portsmouth’s maritime history, from an Indigenous Peoples’ canoe to a clipper ship to the Albacore submarine, officials said. Visitors to the sculpture can read the full story at the posted signage on site.

The sculpture installation is part of the ongoing celebration of Portsmouth's 400th anniversary, Valerie Rochon, PNH400 Managing Director noted, adding that "it will stand as a reminder of the rich history that has created the vibrancy of the City of Portsmouth today."

In the summer of 2022, a request for project proposals was released, and by September over thirty artists, local and worldwide, submitted, the city of Portsmouth said on its website. The selection review committee, whose members have expertise in sculpture, design, and public art, selected finalists in January 2023, with a goal of installing at least one sculpture during the anniversary celebration this year.

In March 2023, "Endeavor" was unveiled at a gathering of sponsors, artists, and community members at Rio Tequila Cantina at the waterfront.

PNH400 raised close to $150,000 to cover the sculpture's design, fabrication, transportation, documentation, and installation expenses including installation insurance, city officials said.

The vision of the PNH400 Legacy Committee is to expand the project into a sculpture garden at the park, officials said.