Flight was installed in summer 2016 outside the newly-built Kroger store on US 31 in Franklin, IN.  It was purchased directly from the artist.  According to the artist, Flight was conceived while he was watching birds in flight, and is an expression of the patterns of swooping and diving that makes each bird’s airborne journey unique.  Viewers have commented that the sculpture gives them a sense of hope and grace.

The artist, Bernard (Bernie) Carreño, is an Indianapolis-based sculptor.  He was born in New York City and studied at the Pratt Institute in New York before serving in the Vietnam War and, upon his return, received both his B.F.A. and M.F.A. from the University of Wisconsin/Milwaukee.  After working for many years as a sculptor and an industrial designer, Carreño retired from GM/Delco in Indianapolis and turned full-time to his own artwork.  He has exhibited widely in his long career, received numerous grants and awards, and his work is held in many public and private collections including locally the Indianapolis Art Center—where he served as the head of the Sculpture department from 2001 to 2011—the University of Indianapolis, and Community North Hospital.  Read more about Carreño and his work at http://www.berniecarreno.net/

The Kroger Co. is honored to use the talents of local artists to create an uplifting experience in their stores. The company aspires to create a safe store environment that conveys a sense of connectedness to the communities within which they operate. The objective of Kroger’s commissioned art program is to create a space that encourages community gathering and celebrates the spirit of the neighborhood. As a company, Kroger values honesty, diversity, inclusion, integrity, respect and safety. These values are expressed by the artwork commissioned for each store.

Kroger worked with the Arts Council of Indianapolis to identify the sculpture to purchase.