Fluvial

This stop pays homage to the 1929 S&W Building, Douglas Ellington’s charming masterwork, influenced by his time in Paris at École des Beaux-Arts. Fluvial was designed and installed by local metal worker Rachel David with RED Metal. Dedicated in November 2025, the artwork functions as a two-sided oval bench with a centered, sculptural seat back that rises 6 feet. 

The design was inspired by the S&W Building through a contemporary lens that includes themes of water and the actions and effects of a river. The piece uses 60-70 visible pieces of stainless steel which were forged and formed, along with several hundred metal shingles stacked around the base of the bench that reference the tiled parapet above. The dark patina on the stainless steel is contrasted by polished metal elements that reflect the colors and symbols on the historic building.

This station was originally represented by a large mosaic artwork, known as the Art Deco Masterpiece. The 4x7 ft mosaic marker was designed by artists Carleton Collins and James Barnhill, constructed in Venice, Italy, and embedded into the sidewalk. It had to be relocated, removed, and remains in storage due to damage and available public space relative to the size of the piece. Plans are in the works to find a new, safe location where the artwork can be viewed.