International sculptor Blessing Hancock has unveiled “Responder,” her latest public art piece and one of four works she has completed over the course of a year, her most prolific period to date.
Created for a new fire station in Charlotte, N.C., Hancock designed ‘Responder’ to ease stress for first responders and community members
“Community is at the heart of all my pieces, so ‘Responder’ was created for the people of Charlotte,” Hancock said. “My hope is that the rhythmic harmony of ‘Responder’ helps to ease the stress firefighters face, but that it also provides a sense of calm for citizens who may be dealing with traumatic life events when they’re at the facility.”
Commissioned by the City of Charlotte and managed by the Arts and Science Council (ASC) in partnership with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Public Art Commission, Hancock created “Responder” for the city’s new Firehouse #45.
Officially accepted into Charlotte’s public art collection in June, the stainless steel sculpture measures 19 feet in length, 6 feet in width, and 9 feet in height. At night, LED lights create a ripple pattern that merges together into a cohesive biconical form, an effect inspired by the overlapping communication signals of an effective emergency response system.
Hancock designed the piece to be a calming presence at the fire station for both firefighters and the public.
The past 12 months have been busy, but it has been one of the most fulfilling periods of my career,” Hancock added.
“My goal is to get more people to love art, so my passion is designing pieces for places where people may not expect to see them. There is a growing need for more inclusive and safe spaces within our urban environments, so I am honored that local communities trust me to create art that their entire city can enjoy.”
A signature of her public art works, Hancock included contributions from community members in the piece. She collaborated with local artist mentee Unique Patton to host a workshop with the Hidden Valley Neighborhood Association, where words and imagery were collected to be cut into the final sculpture.
The unveiling of “Responder” marks a historic moment for Hancock. It is her fourth completed work since July 2024, her most prolific period to date.
Other recent works include “Papel Picado” in Phoenix, Ariz., “Mandala” in Vancouver, Wash., and “Loqui” in Nashville, Tenn. “Loqui” made the 2025 CODAWorx Top 100 in June, putting it in the running for a CODA Award.
Hancock also has a number of pieces in production, including “Starburst” in Toledo, Ohio, “Civitas” in Lewisville, Texas, “Petal Drop Flutter” in Lexington, Kentucky, and “Energetic” in Fort Worth, Texas.
Blessing Hancock
Blessing Hancock is an international public artist creating monumental, site-specific sculptures. To date, she has created more than 50 international public and private sculptures. Her palette consists of metal, acrylic, and colored light in the form of programmable kinetic lighting. All her public projects feature a community engagement piece that connects the artwork back to the community it resides in. Blessing’s work has been featured in Bloomberg, Sculpture magazine, and The New York Times. She has received numerous awards, including the Mayor’s Urban Design Award from the City of Calgary, Alberta, the Public Art Network Year in Review Award for Ballroom Luminoso, and the CODA Merit Award in Healthcare for Camaraderie.
Great Joy
2022
Goodyear Civic Square
Goodyear, AZ, USA
Stainless Steel, Polycarbonate, Programmable LED lighting
12’H x 25’ diameter
2022
Goodyear Civic Square
Goodyear, AZ, USA
Stainless Steel, Polycarbonate, Programmable LED lighting
12’H x 25’ diameter
2022
Goodyear Civic Square
Goodyear, AZ, USA
Stainless Steel, Polycarbonate, Programmable LED lighting
12’H x 25’ diameter
Great Joy is an original sculpture that relates to the themes of welcoming and inspiration found in the City of Goodyear.
The surface pattern represents the community’s aspirations through text collected during several public outreach opportunities. The sculpture draws inspiration from the celebratory nature of Goodyear Civic Square.
This sculpture is a destination for community celebration and connectivity. The City of Goodyear requested a statement piece that visitors could pass through while also providing a contrast to the formal geometry of the civic center architecture.
Commissioned by the City of Goodyear and Ryan Companies.
This was a public/private development project.
All of Blessing’s pieces echo the culture in which they live, so engaging the local community and bringing in the right partners to build each unique piece are critical to the process.
The word “community” can mean something different to everyone, whether it’s a corporate company or a small coastal town.
Before starting a new work, Blessing thinks about the community that will ultimately enjoy the piece to plan her approach.
Loqui
2024
The Fairgrounds, Nashville, TN, USA
Stainless Steel, Polycarbonate, Programmable LED lighting
32’ x 32’
2024
The Fairgrounds, Nashville, TN, USA
Stainless Steel, Polycarbonate, Programmable LED lighting
32’ x 32’
Loqui, for The Fairgrounds Nashville, celebrates this vibrant and historic entertainment venue.
Loqui is Latin for “to speak” and is an illuminated, color-changing form that is wrapped in stainless steel text. Self-expression through public art is the inspiration for the sculpture and it encourages visitors to express themselves. The surface of the artwork tells stories that
were collected from the local community.
Commissioned by the City of Nashville.
