Public Art Dedication Ceremony

Friday, February 28, 4:30pm

22 Depot St, Tryon, NC

 
Tryon Arts & Crafts School (TACS) and Tryon Downtown Development Association (TDDA) are pleased to invite the public to a ribbon-cutting ceremony for “The Steel Deer,” a striking new sculpture and the inaugural entry of the TDDA Main Street Design Committee’s Public Art Program.
 
The community will gather to celebrate this addition to Tryon’s landscape on Friday, February 27, 2026, at 4:30 PM, during the local “Tryon Fourth Friday” event. The sculpture is located on the train tracks adjacent to the historic Tryon Depot at 22 Depot Street.
 
“The Steel Deer” is a testament to the extraordinary skill and generosity of The Breakfast Crew, an independent group of retired volunteers who dedicated their time and expertise to create this work. In 2025, the Crew gifted the sculpture to TACS, marking a remarkable contribution to the local arts culture.
 
While the Breakfast Crew is comprised of many talented individuals, TACS extends its deepest gratitude to the specific sculptors involved in this project: Dave Briere, Vern Davis, Gerry Drew, Bernard Edwards, Nick Fischer, Fred Herres, and Will Kallberg.
 
The presence of “The Steel Deer” in such a prominent downtown location is the result of a dedicated partnership between TACS, the Town of Tryon, and TDDA. By working together to share this work in a high-traffic public area, these organizations aim to celebrate local talent and enhance the vibrancy of the downtown district.
 
“The Steel Deer” is currently available for purchase, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting Tryon Arts & Crafts School’s – a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. This fundraising opportunity is made possible solely through the Breakfast Crew’s decision to donate their work to support the school.
 
To ensure the sculpture remains a landmark for the community that inspired it, the piece is sold with the provision that it will remain on public display at its current location for a minimum of five years. This unique arrangement allows a patron to invest in the future of TACS while ensuring the deer remains a focal point of downtown Tryon.
 
Event Details
  • What: “The Steel Deer” Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
  • When: Friday, February 27, 2026, at 4:30 PM
  • Where: The Tryon Depot (Train Tracks), 22 Depot St, Tryon, NC 28782
  • Cost: Free and open to the public
 
For inquiries regarding the purchase of “The Steel Deer” or to learn more about TACS programs,
please contact the school at (828) 859-8323.