Leader photo/ALY GIBSON A sign and concrete platform have been placed near Borgess-Lee Memorial Hospital in anticipation of the newest sculpture.

Dowagiac will soon be home to “Abundant Happiness,” a new sculpture to add to the community’s burgeoning collection of outdoor art.

The piece, to be installed this month, is part of a three-part series by sculptor Richard Taylor of Milwaukee, Wis. Each piece in the series has the word “happiness” in its title, though only “Abundant Happiness” will be installed. Through the donation of resident Helen Marhanka, the abstract sculpture will add a new dimension to the collection of sculptures placed throughout the city.

Karen Judd, chairperson of the Dogwood Visual Arts Committee, and other committee members  researched the sculpture’s selection and what the city’s art collection needed.

“We had our collection of sculptures critiqued by  professionals,” Judd said. “The advice we had received said we needed to include all types of art and an abstract piece was our next step.”

Taylor’s piece tallied in the final three and, with the help of Maryio Lemanski, the gallery director of Water Street Gallery in Douglas, “Abundant Happiness” was chosen.

“We had many artists to choose from and, when Taylor’s was decided on, Maryjo was our contact for that,” Judd said. “We’re excited for the community to see it.”

The sculpture, which has been painted a color that is being kept under wraps, will be installed between 9 a.m. and noon Sept. 14. Judd said community members are welcome to join the committee for the installation and watch as a crew will place and construct the sculpture onto its base.

“Anyone and everyone is invited to watch,” Judd said. “We’d also want them back to the official dedication.”

The dedication ceremony is scheduled for noon Sept. 28.