Stars and Stripes: A New Public Art Landmark in Port St. Lucie
Stars and Stripes is now open in Port St. Lucie, Florida. Located within the 26.5-acre Stars and Stripes Park in Tradition, the project brings together large-scale sculpture, lighting, landscape, astronomy, and community stories to create a place that people can explore, gather, and experience throughout the day and into the night.
For our team at Creative Machines, this project has been a long process of designing, engineering, fabricating, and installing a collection of very different pieces that all needed to work together as one experience.
Built from Community Stories
Community input was an important part of the project from the start. More than 100 interviews were conducted with veterans, first responders, and frontline medical professionals. Their stories and words became part of the artwork itself.
Three large illuminated stars serve as the focal point of the park. Quotes, imagery, and other details gathered through the interviews are incorporated into the sculptures through etched metal and translucent materials. The stars change throughout the day. Sunlight reveals different details within the layered materials, while at night, integrated lighting transforms the sculptures and brings the stories to life.
A sweeping sculptural form known as "The Stripes" represents the stripes of the American flag. At more than 44 feet long, it creates another major focal point within the park and connects the individual sculptures into one larger composition.
Exploring the Solar System
The project also takes visitors beyond Earth. At the center of the Celestial Plaza is a 20-foot-tall sculptural sundial made from stainless steel and translucent panels. The structure interacts with the sun throughout the day, creating changing patterns of light and shadow.
Nine planetary sculptures are then distributed throughout the park, representing Mercury through Neptune, along with Pluto. Their placement gives visitors a physical sense of the enormous distances within our solar system. At night, the planets become illuminated landmarks throughout the park.
One of our favorite parts of Stars and Stripes is how much it changes after sunset.
During the day, visitors can explore the materials, shapes, shadows, and details built into the sculptures. At night, the lighting transforms the space. The stars glow, the planets light up, and the stories within the artwork become part of the surrounding landscape.
From the Studio to the Park
There is a lot that happens between the first drawings and a finished project like this.
Our team worked through the design and engineering of each element before moving into fabrication. The project included large steel structures, specialty materials, lighting systems, and a series of planetary sculptures, each requiring its own approach to fabrication and installation.
We were able to document much of that process along the way. Seeing the stars and other sculptures take shape in the shop, then watching them arrive and come together on site, gives a good sense of just how much work goes into a project of this scale.
Installation required close coordination between our team and the site, from positioning the large sculptures to integrating lighting and other infrastructure. Piece by piece, the park started to look like the project we had been working toward for so long.
In the Park
After years of design, fabrication, and installation, Stars and Stripes is now a place people can experience for themselves. We are proud to have been part of bringing the project to life and look forward to seeing how the community uses and experiences the space for years to come.
About Creative Machines
At Creative Machines, we believe that the key to successful projects lies in effective collaboration with our clients and their communities. Our highly effective hands-on engagement process allows us to fully understand our client's needs, goals, and vision, and also work closely with their community as we design and create the artwork installation that they will know and love for many years to come. With our process, we ensure that our clients are involved in every step of the way, from ideation to final product delivery, resulting in a final product that not only meets but exceeds their expectations. We are committed to delivering innovative, high-quality, and engaging experiences that bring your ideas to life.
Questions?
Our experienced team of artists, architects, project managers, engineers, and fabricators are waiting to hear from you. Whether you have questions, are requesting a quote, or need information about a custom interactive experience, we want to hear from you!
published on September 4, 2026
© Creative Machines
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