SALISBURY, MD — The City of Salisbury is thrilled to announce that artist Howard Connelly has been selected as the second winner of the Salisbury Prize, a public art competition celebrating creativity, community, and placemaking in the heart of Downtown. Connelly’s concept, titled Community Swans, will be installed along the Downtown Salisbury Riverwalk—between Brew River and the Downtown Dog Park—and promises to become a striking new landmark for residents and visitors alike.
Perched above the Wicomico River, the 9-foot-tall reflective white sculpture features two abstract swans intertwining in a graceful, symbolic embrace. The swans represent harmony, togetherness, and the shared vulnerability that forms the foundation of community—both human and ecological.
“This time of year is always exiting as the next Salisbury Prize Winner is selected. Each new installation of Salisbury Prize winning art is a nice addition to our Downtown. Thank you to all those involved. Congratulations to this year’s winner, Howard Connelly.” – Mayor Randolph J. Taylor
Crafted from bent, faceted steel tubes and coated in reflective white paint, Community Swans will shimmer in natural light and glow under lampposts after dark. The sculpture honors the annual arrival of tundra swans to the region and serves as a poignant reminder of our shared responsibility to protect and nurture our local wildlife.
Following a thorough review by Salisbury’s Public Art Committee, along with feedback from community members, Connelly’s compelling sketch was selected from a competitive pool of submissions. He will receive a $10,000 award and up to $5,000 in materials reimbursement to bring his vision to life. Work on the installation will begin June 1, with completion slated for December 1, 2025.
“I’m beyond excited that Community Swans was selected as this year’s Salisbury Prize winner! Mr. Connelly’s work brings both experience and heart to our riverfront. It’s public art with purpose, and we’re lucky to have it right here in Salisbury.”
– Allen Swiger, Director of the Arts, Business & Culture Department
A resident of Maryland’s Eastern Shore, Howard Connelly brings a lifetime of creative experience to the project. Raised in Colorado by a welder and a painter, Connelly developed his artistic sensibilities early, later applying them to special effects work in Los Angeles before launching a full-time career in sculpture in 2000. His portfolio includes kinetic and sustainable artworks for private collectors, schools, museums, and even HGTV, where he served as the resident sculptor on Curb Appeal.
“I’m thrilled to be chosen to design and build a sculpture this year to be part of Salisburys visual art mission!” – Howard Connelly, Artist
The Salisbury Prize is part of the city’s ongoing efforts to support the arts, spark dialogue, and revitalize public spaces. The installation of Community Swans continues Salisbury’s commitment to enhancing public spaces and enriching community life through artistic expression.
To learn more about Howard Connelly and his work, visit https://www.howardconnellydesign.com.
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About ABCD
The Arts, Business and Culture Department is responsible for fostering Salisbury’s thriving economic climate through supporting business, expanding economic opportunity, promoting artistic expression, hosting unique experiences, and maintaining regional attractions such as the Salisbury Zoo and Poplar Hill Mansion. By producing signature events, facilitating business incentives, and collaborating with stakeholders, this department strives to make Salisbury a place where arts, business, and culture intersect and flourish. https://salisbury.md/departments/arts-business-culture
About the City of Salisbury, Maryland
Founded in 1732, Salisbury is the county seat of Wicomico County, a place where John Smith touched land in 1608 during his exploration of the Chesapeake Bay, bringing him in contact with the Wighcocomoco or Wicomico, the Nause, the Kusk’arawack, and the Nantaquack or Nanticoke tribes who had lived in the region for several millennia. Situated on Maryland’s historic Eastern Shore at the crossroads of the Delmarva Peninsula, Salisbury is now one of the region’s largest cities, and serves as the capital of the Eastern Shore, a rural area defined by its agricultural and maritime traditions, landscapes, and industries.
The Chesapeake Bay is central to this distinctive identity. Though a relatively small city, Salisbury is the geographic and economic hub of one of the nation’s fastest-growing Metropolitan Statistical Areas. The City of Salisbury is working to build its reputation as an arts and culture destination and is aligning its downtown development and revitalization efforts with the arts. Salisbury believes hosting the Maryland Folk Festival is the perfect catalyst to further a cultural renaissance and urban renewal. https://salisbury.md/