A towering set of aluminum wings now stands outside The Highlands Visitor Center in Porter, inviting passersby to step between them, strike a pose and capture a photo meant to represent whatever lifts them up. The free-standing, interactive mural, roughly 10 feet wide and 7 feet tall, marks the first installation of its kind from international street artist Kelsey Montague, who is known for her large-scale wing murals.
According to Community Impact, the mural is made entirely of aluminum and was unveiled at the visitor center, located at 21875 Zion Drive in Porter. The piece is designed to be interactive rather than a flat wall painting, giving visitors a three-dimensional backdrop they can physically stand inside rather than simply photograph from a distance.
A Nature Theme Tied to The Highlands
The wings carry nature-inspired details meant to reflect The Highlands' national park theme, a design choice tied to an October 14 news release cited by Community Impact. The Highlands is described in the same report as a master-planned community in Porter, and the mural appears to be part of a broader push to weave public art into that community identity.
The finished wings became available for photos beginning Friday, October 23, according to woodlandsonline.com. That outlet reported that visitors are invited to stand between the wings, snap a photo and share what lifts them up, turning the installation into a kind of open invitation for personal reflection as much as a photo op.
Caldwell Companies Weighs In on the Vision
Jennifer Symons, chief marketing officer of Caldwell Companies, is identified by Community Impact as the voice behind the project's intent. Symons said public art has always been an integral part of how the company designs its communities, framing the mural as consistent with that broader approach rather than a one-off addition.
Symons also said she hopes every photo taken there captures some of the joy of the place, according to the same report. Officials have encouraged visitors to use the wings for photo opportunities, positioning the installation as a shared community touchpoint rather than a static art piece meant only for passive viewing.
Planning a Visit
The Highlands Visitor Center is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 6 p.m., per the same woodlandsonline.com report. Those hours give residents and visitors several windows throughout the week to stop by the Zion Drive location and try out the new backdrop for themselves.
