TOLEDO, Ohio — A new sculpture is coming to Glass City Metropark, and the artist behind it wants to hear from the public. 

The sculpture is called "Starburst," and it's going to be a 15-foot-tall, illuminated sculpture that'll be over a sidewalk for visitors to walk through. It'll be in the International Cove area of Glass City Metropark, and it's designed to celebrate people who came from many countries and helped establish the Toledo community, the metroparks said. The International Cove area of the park was established more than 40 years ago by the city's ethnic community.

The artist behind the sculpture, Blessing Hancock, plans to feature words and phrases from the community, and cut them into the sculpture. 

There will be an event on Monday, May 5 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Glass City Enrichment Center. For those who can't attend, community members can also fill out an online form that must be submitted by Wednesday, May 7. The form can be found here.

The International Cove area is currently under construction and will reopen in spring 2026 in the former International Park area. The construction is part of the Glass City Riverwalk development. 

Toledo Metroparks said the Cove and the art will be true to the International Park's original intention. "Starburst" itself is inspired in part by the late Yehia Hussein "John" Shousher, who was a well-known Toledo businessman and philanthropist who was pivotal in the development of International Park, according to the metroparks. 

The project was launched by help from Mr. Shousher's family. 

For more information about the project, click here.