Rendering of the piece
Canis Rufus
I have been commissioned to create a sculpture for the parklet at Greenwood avenue and the Beltline in Virginia Highlands. The piece, “ Canis Rufus”, will be a trio of red wolves moving along an abandoned section of rail road. Each wolf represents one of three themes that inspired the work; Georgia’s natural past, Atlanta’s railroad history, and the Historic B Mifflin Brick company located adjacent to the site.
The piece is being funded by the friends and family of Andrew Feiler and Laura Adams to celebrate their 2018 marriage and when completed it will be gifted to the city
The Red Wolf
The Red Wolf
The red wolf is the only large carnivore solely native to the U. S. The wolf that once roamed Georgia and the Southeast is now endangered. Captive breeding and release programs in the 70’s and 80’s found success but in recent years their numbers have declined. “Canis Rufus” is to be a reminder of our effects on wildlife and the natural world and draw attention to the importance of their protection and conservation.
The three wolves will be made out of ferro cement. A technique of hand forming concrete over a steel armature. This custom mixture of concrete is worked much like clay and built up slowly layer by layer until the form and surface is achieved.
Working on a sample of the Wolf
The Rail Road
The abandoned railroad track references Atlanta’s railroad history. Once called Terminus since it was located at the end of the Western & Atlantic railroad, the city’s name was later changed to Atlanta, the female version of Atlantic in honor of the same railroad. As the city grew other rail lines soon developed including the The Atlanta&Richmond line which ran right through the site, and has now become the footprint of the Atlanta Beltline.
The B Mifflin Hood Brickworks
A Western Atlantaic Locomotive
B. Mifflin Hood
The brick columns elevating the tracks reference the B Mifflin Hood Brick Co building that still sits adjacent to the parklet. Founded in 1909, the Hood Brick Company distinguished itself by producing "non-convict bricks", as Hood did not participate in the convict leasing system that was prevalent at the time. This was a system of forced penal labor practiced in the South and overwhelmingly involved African American men. These non convict bricks produced by the company were used in many of the houses in the Virginia Highlands and surrounding neighborhoods.
Andrew and Laura purchased the building in 2013. Turning it into their private residence along with gallery and studio space for them both. In 2018 they got the building listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Atlanta, preserving a piece of Atlanta History.
Some bricks collected from the neighborhood
Community Involvement
I believe an important part of public art is community involvement. It promotes art awareness and creates ownership to the completed artwork. This is where you can get involved.
Help support this wolf trio literally and figuratively by donating any used bricks from your home or garden to the project. I will be reassembled the donated bricks along with ones salvaged from the Mifflin Building to create the 10 columns giving support to the wolves as they struggle on their journey for survival. Representing how if we all come together we can help make a difference and protect endangered animals.
Brick collection days are May 6th 2022 . To learn more and sign up click here. So check the back yard the basement and the garage for any old bricks, and get involved. Thank you!
And for more information on the Red Wolf
and programs working to protect them go to