Photo courtesy of city of Marshall Workers hoist a giant Marshall “M” into place at Independence Park on Thursday morning. The sculpture, which celebrates the city’s 150th anniversary. B

MARSHALL — A community sculpture project celebrating Marshall’s 150th anniversary has been taking shape all summer. And now, people will really be able to watch the progress.

On Thursday morning, a work crew hoisted a giant Marshall “M” into place at Independence Park. Over the next few weeks, the front of the M will be covered in mosaics that community members helped create.

“We’re really excited to have it come into Marshall,” said Marshall Community Education Coordinator Amanda Beckler.

Beckler was one of the city staff present as the M sculpture was installed at the park.

“It’s coming together beautifully,” she said.

Bend-Rite Custom Fabrication of Marshall built the M sculpture, which stands over 9 feet tall. The sculpture is modeled after the Marshall city logo, and stands at the edge of Independence Park, facing out toward Minnesota Highway 23.

The front of the M is blank right now, but community members and area artist Tamara Isfeld have been working together to put together mosaics that will fit onto the sculpture.

The sculpture project was made possible with the help of a grant from the Southwest Minnesota Arts Council. The grants are funded through appropriations from Minnesota’s arts and cultural heritage fund.

Starting Monday afternoon, Isfeld will be at Independence Park for a community art event, Beckler said. People are free to come and go to help with the creation and installation of the mosaics. No prior experience is needed.

“We encourage community members to come out,” Beckler said.

At events earlier this summer, Isfeld explained the mosaics would have pictures and patterns that reference Marshall’s history, and the people and cultures who have called the area home.

Besides using pieces of glass in shades of blue, green, orange and yellow, the mosaics will also incorporate materials donated by community members. Donations have included items like old china, costume jewelry, watch faces and more.

The community art event will be at the park from 2-7 p.m. on Monday through Friday. Beckler said a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the finished sculpture is planned for Aug. 18.