Vulcans on Parade Continues to Celebrate Birmingham’s History and Culture
Birmingham, Ala. – In partnership with Vulcan Park & Museum, the EyeSight Foundation of Alabama is proud to announce the unveiling ceremony of the fourteenth Vulcans on Parade on July 15 at 10 a.m.
Painted by local artist Ahmad Austin, the statue will be located at the park entrance of Vulcan Park and Museum Birmingham, located at 1701 Valley View Dr.
The EyeSight Foundation of Alabama hosted statue will be named “Eyes Over Birmingham,” and is the most unique Vulcans on Parade to date. It is designed in a way for people with low vision or blindness to “see” the Iron Man up close. Its bright colors mimic the kinetic sculpture “Complex Vision” that adorns the UAB Callahan Eye Hospital exterior and features virtual movement and geometric shapes, enabling patients to see improvement in their vision post-surgery. There will also be a braille interpretive piece added to the statue for all to enjoy.
The EyeSight Foundation of Alabama and Vulcan Park Foundation has a long-standing relationship dating back to 2000. The Foundation played an integral role in organizing “Hands-On-Vulcan,” an historic event for the visually impaired to touch and see Vulcan while in pieces on the grounds of the park, during the restoration and return of Vulcan to his Red Mountain pedestal overlooking the City of Birmingham.
“The board and staff of the EyeSight Foundation are extremely pleased to partner with Vulcan Park Foundation and its Junior Leadership Board on ‘Eyes Over Birmingham.’ We are confident that the life-size scale and sensory design will enhance the meaning and experience of Vulcan for individuals with blindness and low vision. This Birmingham icon will be more approachable for everyone,” ESFA board chair W. Spencer South said.
Jason Bivins, Vulcan Park and Museum Junior Leadership Board Chair is excited for the community to see the latest statute.
“This will be our 14th Vulcan on Parade and it will have a special home since it will literally be in the shadow of the Vulcan Statue,” Bivins said “Working closely with the EyeSight Foundation of Alabama and Ahmand, this statue truly
shows a sense of community and echoes our belief that Vulcan Stands for All of Birmingham.”
The unveiling is free and open to the public but will also broadcast live on Vulcan Park & Museum’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
Vulcans on Parade is a community art project led by Vulcan’s Junior Leadership Board. It began as the brainchild of a team of young professionals participating in the 2015 Project Corporate Leadership class. Additional Vulcans on Parade locations include Railroad Park, BJCC, Kinetic Communications, Birmingham Botanical Gardens, Birmingham Zoo, PropHouse Event Rentals, Birmingham-Southern College, Pizitz Food Hall Courtyard, Magic City Dentistry, Oak Mountain Elementary School, Redmont Distilling, Maynard-Cooper and Liverpool, England.
Local businesses, communities, or individuals who would like to get involved in the project can learn more by visiting http://visitvulcan.com/vulcans-on-parade/.
