Eight finalists have been chosen to advance in the competition for a landmark public art installation at Covington Central Riverfront, an area undergoing significant redevelopment in Northern Kentucky.
The selection was made from 25 proposals submitted earlier this summer. A panel that included local art experts, City stakeholders, and Covington residents reviewed each entry before selecting the eight finalists. Their works—featuring physical models, printed images, and digital displays—will be on public display at the Hellmann Creative Center from September 15 to 18 during regular building hours. An additional after-hours viewing is scheduled for Thursday, September 18.
Community participation is central to the process. Visitors can view the proposals and leave feedback for artists through comment books available onsite.
On Tuesday, September 30 at The Carnegie, each finalist will present their concept beginning at 6:30 p.m., explaining their inspiration and how their work would serve as a landmark for the neighborhood. Each artist will have five minutes to present, followed by time for questions and comments from attendees.
“We are very pleased with the range and diversity of submissions that we received,” said Matt Distel, Executive Director of The Carnegie. “You’ll see a broad range of interpretations of the themes represented in the finalists, which include both locally and nationally known artists, and a range of experiences from people who have completed other landmark pieces to artists submitting their first piece of public art.”
The winning design is expected to be installed in spring 2026 if weather allows.
The competition is coordinated by The Carnegie Visual and Performing Arts Center along with The Center for Great Neighborhoods, ArtsWave, and the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation. Artists were invited to propose ideas for a major installation that will anchor the new 23-acre Covington Central Riverfront site—a location previously occupied by an IRS processing facility. Plans for this redeveloped neighborhood include office space, housing options, retail businesses, restored street layouts, and public gathering areas (https://www.covcentralriverfront.com/).
Artists were encouraged to incorporate artifacts salvaged from the former IRS complex into their designs—such as metal letters or clocks—and highlight either local history prior to 1967 or broader aspects of Covington’s past. Proposals also aimed to reflect Covington’s identity so that its more than 40,000 residents feel represented in this new phase.
“This is a unique opportunity for residents from all over Covington to get to help select a piece of art that will hopefully become a city icon and something Covington will be known for in the future,” said Shannon Ratterman, Executive Director of The Center for Great Neighborhoods.
Further information about events related to this project can be found on official channels (https://www.covcentralriverfront.com/).
