Tacomans, get down to 26th Street and Pacific Avenue on Wednesday, Sept. 25 to meet artist Sean Orlando, the artist commissioned through a national call-to-artists to create artwork for this gateway intersection. An Artist Fellow at the de Young Museum and a celebrated East Bay (San Francisco) surrealistic, steampunk, high-tech, kenetic sculptor, Orlando has created some amazing public and private art, which can be viewed at http://www.engineeredartworks.com/.

Orlando's work involves uniting communities of artists, engineers, designers and fabricators to accomplish large-scale feats of sculpture. "I've served as lead artist for several massive and interactive public works informed by my interests in science and industry. These sculptures have been exhibited at San Francisco's Embarcadero waterfront, NASA's Moffet Field, Makers Faire, and various arts and science related venues," he said.

Come on down and meet the artist and see samples of Orlando's past work, provide input, and learn more about the project. There will be two events Sept. 25, one from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at Anthem Coffee, 1911 Pacific Ave. and another from 6-7:30 p.m. at 301 Puyallup Ave.

"I am very excited for this opportunity to share my work with Tacoma," said Orlando, whose work will be among the public art pieces for the Sound Transit D-to-M Streets track and signal project that extends the Seattle-Tacoma Sounder commuter rail line from the Dome District to South Tacoma and Lakewood. "I'm particularly interested in hearing about the needs of the community and learning more about this area."

A design concept for the gateway project is underway and will be released later this year. A schedule for construction of the artwork will be established once the design is complete.

The City of Tacoma's Arts Program staff is managing this project for Sound Transit's Public Art Program.

MEET SEAN ORLANDO, 10:30 a.m. and 6 p.m., Wednesday, Sept. 25, open house at Anthem Coffee (1911 Pacific Ave.) and artist reception (301 Pacific Ave.), respectively, Tacoma, free admission, 253.591.5191