The City of Lawrence, Indiana, has unveiled a new installation that pays homage to the World War II-era performances that once graced the stage of Fort Benjamin Harrison’s original Post Theatre. The installation, named 'USO Girls' (2022), is the brainchild of Indianapolis-based Circle City Metalworks, known for their adept metal fabrications—including the playful star-cutout swing overhangs that have become a nearby highlight.
Artistic endeavors that resonate with historical significance often embed themselves in the local landscape, and 'USO Girls' is no exception, the artwork features silhouettes of women performers and a microphone, an evocative reminder of the entertainment provided to U.S. service members by the United Service Organizations (USO) since its inception in 1941; indeed, these shadows cast along the sidewalk on sunlit days tell as much of a story as the physical artwork itself, that post on the City of Lawrence’s Facebook page captures the spirit of the installation with succinct clarity.
Community members and visitors alike are invited to step back in time, to engage with the space and contemplate the convergence of past and present that installations like 'USO Girls' inspire. According to the creators at Circle City Metal Works, each element of the installation was crafted with a commitment to honoring history while forging a connection with those who encounter it today, the decision to collaborate with the city to situate this installation at a culturally significant venue underscores this mission, embedding both a temporal and symbolic significance within the community's public art collection.
