LightWave Installation Unveiled in Rice Park

LightWave, an animated LED light installation by artist Jeff Bartlett, is now in place in Rice Park. This unique work adds the “final glow” to the redesign of the park, which was otherwise completed in 2019.
LightWave is an animated garland of decorative strands of LED lights mounted in metal panels, encircling the perimeter of the Rice Park fountain’s inner and outer concrete bench. The design provides an interplay of light, animated in a color-changing display, with the intent of a dynamic, engaging feature to draw visitors to the park’s center. The installation also provides a safe, outdoor space by further illuminating the park and the fountain. “The ideas behind LightWave originated decades ago,” said Jeff Bartlett. “ I first imagined animating the Rice Park Fountain with light, especially during months when it has no water.”
LightWave is the final project of the Rice Park Revitalization effort that resulted in the redesign of Rice Park completed in 2019. As a public park in St. Paul, Rice Park is owned by the City of St. Paul’s Parks and Recreation. Private funds in the amount of $1.2 million for Rice Park Revitalization were raised by the St. Paul Garden Club, St. Paul Parks Conservancy and the Rice Park Association, augmenting public funding for the revitalization effort.