08/27/2026
Last night, our community gathered along the Elkhart Riverwalk to celebrate the lighting of “Hope, Happiness, & New Beginnings”, a stunning 35-foot public art sculpture by renowned artist Arlon Bayliss.
This unveiling was to celebrate a gift. A gift to our community. A gift to our downtown. A gift to every resident, visitor, family, worker, and traveler who will pass through this place for decades to come.
“Hope, Happiness and New Beginnings” speaks to possibility. It reminds us that every day offers a fresh start, and that we’re surrounded by unexpected beauty!
As people drive by, walk by, or stumble upon it purely by accident… the hope is that this sculpture becomes more than a landmark. It becomes a destination.
This privately funded “gift to the street” represents resilience, hope, optimism, and the power of creating places where people feel connected. As the lilies illuminated the sky last night during the celebration, we celebrated a “little” piece of Elkhart history together.
Thank you to everyone who played a role in bringing this vision from concept to reality: generous donors, community partners, Arlon Bayliss, the team at BoMar industries, DJ Construction, the Community Foundation, Board of Directors of Elkhart Health & Aquatics, the team at the City of Elkhart, LBA Landscape Architects, contractors, and all who joined us to celebrate this special moment.
May this sculpture stand as a symbol of welcome, inspiration, creativity, and belonging for generations to come.
🧡 = Hope
đź’ś = Happiness
đź’›= New Beginnings
đź“Ť Elkhart Riverwalk near 210 E. Jackson Blvd.
✨ Illuminated nightly at sundown
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