Inspired by the natural history of Metro Parks’ STAR Center, Tacoma’s newest public art piece, “Sempervivum” by local artist Lisa Kinoshita, will receive its formal dedication on Sat., Nov. 10, at 2 p.m., in STAR Center’s Journey Hall. The Tacoma Arts Commission and Metro Parks invites anyone who is interested in learning more about this piece to meet the artist at this free, public event.

“My outdoor art installation pays tribute to the wetlands during its early-20th century heyday,” said Kinoshita. “This sculpture trilogy seeks to link the past to the future, celebrates South Tacoma’s fascinating natural heritage and highlights the sensitive balance between humans and their surroundings.”

Sempervivum, Latin for “ever + living,” is located at STAR Center’s SERA Campus. The piece consists of three large forms combining steel, live plants, and green roof technology, and pays homage to the natural history of STAR Center’s site, which originally was covered by extensive wetlands. The 32,000‐square‐foot STAR Center, which opened in April, is on track to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) silver status.

“It has been rewarding to work with the City of Tacoma’s Arts Program on this project, helping to increase public art opportunities for Tacoma artists and to increase art in our parks for everyone to enjoy,” said Tareena Joubert, manager of Cultural and Community Services for Metro Parks. “Lisa has been a delight to work with and her zest to create amazing and meaningful artwork for this community is impressive.”

Sempervivum, a $25,000 commission, was made possible through a partnership between Metro Parks and the City of Tacoma’s Public Art: In Depth (PA:ID) program which trained a group of professional Tacoma artists on best practices and provided hands-on experience for working in public art. Artists in the PA:ID program had the opportunity to compete for public art projects with Metro Parks, Sound Transit and the City of Tacoma.

Lisa Kinoshita is an artist and jeweler who lives and works in Tacoma. Her artwork has been exhibited at the Tacoma Art Museum, Fife Historical Museum, Vetri Gallery, Fulcrum Gallery, Kittredge Gallery, Woolworth’s windows and other regional venues. She was a 2011 nominee for the Contemporary Northwest Art Awards at the Portland Art Museum. In 2010, she received the Foundation of Art Award from the Greater Tacoma Community Foundation.

Metro Parks’ STAR Center is located at 3873 S. 66th St. in Tacoma. More information is available online at metroparkstacoma.org/star.