Ten planters along Main Street cerebrate the Patuxent River that runs through Laurel. Our aim is to raise awareness about the importance of healthy environments, and to preserve the life of the river and its watershed. The native grasses in the planters represent submerged aquatic vegetation that is crucial habitat for many wildlife species, yet threatened by stormwater runoff and sediment pollution.

Fish Art: One of the most easily observable gauges of a river’s health is the presence of fish. Fish indicate that a river has life, and for most people, the shape of a fish is immediately recognizable. This is why we chose the fish shape for the sculpture piece of this project. Each planter contains fish from one local artist.

Native Grasses: Our use of native plants fits with best practices for sustainability. Native grasses are vital in stream restoration to hold the soil in place and also to provide habitat for many species. In Laurel’s planters we include red switch grass, purple love grass, pink muhly and blue gamma. They act as “habitat” for the sculptures as well as providing actual habitat for pollinators. These grasses are host to such insects as skipper and satyr butterfly larvae. They also offer daytime resting spots for fireflies, which are active at night and need safe blades of grass for inactive periods.

Contributors: The catalyst for this two year installation was sparked by a discussion at the August 2020 meeting of Laurel for the Patuxent. The idea was brought to the Laurel Arts Council who joined to support and fund the work. Nine local artists decorated the fish. Laurel Parks & Recreation horticulturist Frank Ramirez acquired the requested plants. Cheryl Dyer, Anita Gilbert, Mike Dyer and Anthony Vodraska collaborated to turn the idea into a reality.

Participating artists: Cheryl Dyer, Keri Fuller, Anita Gilbert, Ada Ghuman, Angie O’Neal, Inka Patel, Kathie Peterson, Diego Sifuentes, Monica Sturdivant.