Welcome to Springfield

This commissioned Route 66 sculpture was created as a visual greeting for Springfield, Missouri—a place shaped by movement, exchange, and hospitality. The work offers a message of openness and connection, reflecting Springfield’s role as a crossroads for people, ideas, and cultures.

The design centers on the word “Welcome” expressed in thirteen languages, representing both the cultural diversity of the community and the many travelers who pass through the region. Indigenous languages native to this area—Cherokee, Choctaw, and Muscogee (Creek-Seminole)—are intentionally included alongside languages spoken around the world, acknowledging both the original stewards of this land and the global voices that continue to shape it.

Bright colors, layered shapes, and speech-bubble forms create a sense of conversation and movement, suggesting many voices speaking at once. The Route 66 shield becomes a gathering place where languages overlap, echoing the spirit of travel, connection, and shared experience.

This sculpture celebrates Springfield as a welcoming community—one that honors its history while embracing the diversity and energy of those who arrive, pass through, and call it home.