PORTSMOUTH— The open-sided kiosk in Bohenko Gateway Park on Market Street was transformed recently by a new addition to the Bohenko Gateway Park Sculpture Garden, a joint City and Portsmouth NH 400th, Inc. Legacy Project.

The kiosk created for the educational panels that detail Portsmouth’s maritime history and environment now serves as the backdrop for “Cod and the Mortal Sea” installation designed and installed by Terrence Parker, local artist and Terra Firma Landscape Architecture principal. City officials and the Portsmouth Public Art Review Committee (PARC) join the PNH400 Board, Executive Team and Legacy Project Committee to accept Terrence Parker’s work with a brief ceremony on-site on Oct. 24, 2024 at 4 pm. Musicians from Portsmouth Maritime Folk Festival will perform.

Inspired by local historian Jeffrey Bolster’s Bancroft Prize-winning book The Mortal Sea, that details the long history of cod fishing on the Seacoast, the sculpture depicts a school of swimming codfish, each 24- to 48-inches long, crafted like a boat using laminated wood, marine epoxy and silver boat enamel. Suspended from the ceiling of the kiosk, about 10-feet off the ground, the fish move in the breeze. At night blue LED lights illuminate the fish and cast their shadows on the concrete floor of the kiosk.

PARC chair Christine Dwyer said, “The silvery codfish complement the Endeavor’s silver sails beautifully and will likely inspire ideas for additional artworks for Bohenko Gateway Park. The Public Art Review Committee is eager to speak with anyone interested in helping to sponsor additional works of art for all to enjoy."