The St. Pete Pier’s $1.5 million public artwork, ‘Bending Arc,’ has been in storage since February 2025 due to significant hurricane damage. The 424×280-foot net-like sculpture, created by Tampa-born artist Janet Echelman, was installed in 2020 and was paid for entirely through private donations.

Disagreement Over Repairs

A disagreement between Echelman and city officials has stalled the repair process. Echelman has denied the city’s request to cut samples from the sculpture for testing, citing concerns that it would degrade the structure and aesthetics of the artwork.

City records show that the city’s contractor used substandard materials and methods when installing the sculpture, which may have contributed to the damage. The city has proposed a plan to lead the repair effort, but Echelman has questioned the additional cost and delay of the city’s continued desire for testing.

Timeline of Events

In January 2020, ‘Bending Arc’ was installed at the St. Pete Pier, but an issue with the structural ropes was quickly discovered, requiring the sculpture to be taken down, assessed, and re-hung. The sculpture was re-attached in June 2020, but cumulative damage from hurricanes in 2024 caused it to sag and become entangled with outdoor furniture.

A report by the independent engineering consultant Stantec concluded that the problem resulted from the connections between the sculpture and the structural ropes, which were installed incorrectly. The city has continued to coordinate with Echelman, but conversations have not yielded forward progress.

Original reporting: St. Pete Catalyst — read the source article.