The Bending Arc sculpture on the St. Pete Pier is coming down. The large public art installation damaged by back-to-back hurricanes in 2024 will be removed on Monday, February 10, and Tuesday, February 11. The removal is necessary to ensure safe access to the lawn area.
The sculpture will be stored until a repair plan can be determined, but there is no timeline for reinstallation. We’ll update this story as more details become available.
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Measuring 432 feet wide and suspended 70 feet above the ground, the Bending Arc is supported by over 5,000 pounds of nets and ropes. It was designed to withstand winds up to 150 mph—far more substantial than the winds experienced in downtown St. Petersburg during hurricanes Helene and Milton. However, officials noted that the impact of the back-to-back storms was too much for the piece to endure.
A sculpture meant to bring the community together in St. Pete
The sculpture, created by artist Janet Echelman, was meant to provide an oasis for visitors, offering a calming sensory experience and fostering a deeper awareness of nature and our place in it.
The installation was funded through public and private contributions as part of the $90 million investment in the St. Petersburg Pier project several years ago.
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