Tim Glover's steel sculptures, titled the "Light Garden," came to life earlier this week in colorful fashion during an illumination ceremony at the Washington on Westcott Roundabout. After the intricate fabricated steel sculpture, described by Glover as a "quasi-street lamp with a tree-like structure," was blessed by a priest, the lights at the base of the sculpture were turned on and the globes at the top of the sculpture began glowing — accomplishing Glover's goal to marry light with nature.

"It's a very special piece in a very special place," said Monica Savino, director of the WOW Roundabout Initiative Inc.

The WOW Roundabout Initiative included artwork in its original plans for the area in 2002. "The plan included generic artwork for a number of years and a number of concepts were developed. The artwork was always in the project, it was just never defined," said Savino.

The plan gained momentum when the Cultural Art Council of Houston released a request for proposal for the roundabout artwork. The council narrowed the submissions to three candidates and allowed the WOW Roundabout Initiative to make the decision. The artists pitched their proposals to the board and the Initiative selected Glover, who brought with him a small-scale model of the future product.

"Mr. Glover was selected because the abstract arboreal form worked well with the plan to plant trees and with the park feel of the area," Savaino said. "The fabricated steel also pays tribute to all of the steel companies that used to be on Washington Avenue but have long since gone."

Glover began his career in Florida after graduating from the Memphis College of Arts, working as a fisherman and a musician. When traveling to Houston with a friend, Glover decided to leave Florida behind and settle in the Bayou City. Exhibiting his work in Houston since 1986, he draws inspiration for his sculptures from vines, trees, leaves, flowers and the planet and enjoys using different metals for his mediums.

Funding for the project came through in June 2011 and Glover began work on the sculptures the next month. At the time Glover was also working as an art teacher at Edison Middle School. "I had to juggle being a full-time teacher with being a full-time artist," he said.

With the help of former student Dylan Conner, Glover finished the sculptures six months later. After completing the project, Glover accepted a job at Bellaire High School and will begin teaching art there in the fall.

Phase Three of the Initiative's plan includes finishing the third sculpture, acknowledgement plaques, and more landscaping on the roundabout. The Initiative hopes to have Glover under contract to do the final sculpture by the end of this year. Once contracted, Glover estimates it will take four to six months to create the final sculpture.

"I am confident that the sculpture will be done because of the naked (concrete) base that has already been laid," he said.

The privately-funded WOW Roundabout Initiative Inc. needs $175,000 to commence Phase Three of the project. The initiative has approached organizations and individuals and will soon begin approaching local businesses.