Watershed, a permanent installation by artist Sumi Wu, was completed in 2024 for the Oregon State Police Headquarters in Central Point through Oregon’s Percent for Art in Public Places program. Drawing inspiration from the Rogue River Valley, the work explores interconnectedness across scales—from microscopic fungi to celestial webs—mirroring both the resilience of natural systems and the compassion and integrity at the heart of community service.
The installation consists of seven vertical “waterfalls” of kiln-cast glass ascending the building’s central stairway. Each waterfall is made of three transparent slabs of Bullseye casting glass, ¾ inch thick, produced from hand-sculpted clay originals. The glass is detailed with sculpted textures and color imagery referencing Earth, Understory, Leaves, Tree Canopy, Water, Landscape, and Celestial themes.
The slabs are mounted on a custom stainless steel support system that holds each piece slightly off the wall, allowing natural light to filter through and illuminate the layered colors. This armature, visually strong and structurally significant, symbolizes the Oregon State Police’s core values of honor, integrity, loyalty, and dedication.
The transparent glass, shaped so each color can be read both individually and in combination, creates rich visual depth. The viewing experience shifts with angle, distance, time of day, season, and weather, rewarding both casual glances and close engagement. From afar, the waterfalls offer tall, elegant forms that uplift the atrium space; up close, they reveal intricate textures that evoke interconnected webs in nature. By combining hand-crafted artistry, durable materials, and a sensitivity to light and environment, Watershed creates a luminous and contemplative landmark that honors both the surrounding landscape and the community it serves.
“Watershed” by Sumi Wu – installed at the Oregon State Police Headquarters in Central Point, Oregon. Kilncast glass fabricated by Bullseye Studio. Photos by Hanmi Meyer.