Public Art at River Cane Wetland Park

About the Artist

Austen Camille Weymueller was selected to create public art for the River Cane Wetland Center in 2024.

Young white woman in a field of wildflowers, spinning towards the camera.

Weymueller is a sculptor whose work explores the relationship between humans, land, and travel. Her work often includes building materials like glass, plaster, house paint, and drop cloths. Weymueller's work is informed by poetry, critical theory, and conversations with experts. She collects small natural and human-made objects to embed in her work.

Weymueller received an M.F.A. in painting at the Tyler School of Art, Temple University and her B.A. from Reed College. She has attended artist residencies at the Wormfarm Institute in Wisconsin and at Jentel in Wyoming. Her work has been exhibited in Portland, Milwaukee, Chiang Mai, and Philadelphia, and she has received public art commissions in Oregon, Wisconsin, and Texas.

Wetland are with trees at Kyle Drive Park — Beaverdam Creek Wetland within Kyle Drive Park

Map with Kyle Park area outlined in pink

Project Overview

The City of Raleigh seeks to hire an artist to create public art at Kyle Drive Park.

The future Kyle Drive Park is a currently undeveloped parcel, located at 4700 Kyle Drive, near the intersection of Louisburg Road (U.S. Highway 401) and Valley Stream Drive. Currently, a master plan is being developed for the site. The project will move into the design phase by fall 2024 and will obtain permits for construction in 2025.

The vision statement for Kyle Drive Park is: “Inspired by the Beaverdam Creek Wetland, Kyle Drive Park will connect visitors to nature and serve as an inclusive community hub, providing nature-based recreation, multi-generational activities, and enhancement of the natural environment.”

A small freshwater stream nearly bisects the park, flowing from west to east before emptying into the wetland that dominates the northeastern portion of the site. This wetland covers approximately 9 acres, about 30 percent of the park. The wetlands found within the Kyle Drive Park are part of a larger wetland system that extends beyond the property boundaries and along the riparian boundaries of Beaver Creek, collectively measuring roughly 63 acres. Water levels tend to fluctuate seasonally and in response to beaver activity, creating habitat conditions capable of supporting a wide variety of taxa including wetland plants, insects, amphibians, mollusks, arthropods, and more.

The draft master plan features a large wetland boardwalk, which will include gathering areas and nature education signage. The plan also includes paved and unpaved trails, a basketball court, a traditional playground and nature playground, parking, restrooms, and green stormwater infrastructure.

More information is available on the Kyle Drive Park project page.

The project timeline for planning, design, and construction of these improvements runs from 2023-2028.

Wetland with mix snags and green vegetation at Kyle Drive Park — A colony of river cane along the edge of the Beaverdam Wetland.

Project Timeline


RFQ Application Deadline	July 1, 2024
Semi-Finalists Selected and Notified	July 2024
Semi-Finalists Interviews	August 2024
Project Awarded	August 2024
Potential for Selected Artist to weigh in on locations	September 2024
Contract Finalized	October 2024
Concept Designs	November 2024-January 2025

The artist will create concept designs, final designs, and conduct community engagement 2024-2025. Artwork fabrication will likely occur 2025-2026. There are opportunities for the City to store the artwork after fabrication, before it is installed. Installation 2026-2027.

For questions, contact Jenn Hales, Public Art Coordinator for Raleigh Arts, jenn.hales@raleighnc.gov.

For relevant information regarding the project, visit the Raleigh Arts website.

View and download print version (PDF)