Pyramid Hill plans restoration for beloved ‘Cincinnati Story’ sculpture

One of Southwest Ohio’s most recognizable works of public art is getting a new lease on life.

Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum announced a major conservation project for “Cincinnati Story,” the bold, color-swept sculpture by renowned American artist George Sugarman that has graced the park’s overlook for more than two decades.

In November, crews will disassemble the large-scale piece and transport it to a specialized restoration facility in Virginia. Conservation specialists will work through the winter before returning the sculpture in spring 2026 for a public unveiling and rededication celebration.

“The restoration of ‘Cincinnati Story’ marks a new chapter for the historic sculpture,” said Gregory T. Hyland II, president of Pyramid Hill’s Board of Trustees. “By working with world-class conservers in Virginia, ‘Cincinnati Story’ will be cared for by the best in sculpture conservation, bringing the story of Cincinnati’s waterways back to life on a national scale.”

A regional icon with deep roots

Sugarman pioneered American modern sculpture, introducing vibrant color into large-scale works that challenged conventional form. Born in 1912, the U.S. Navy veteran studied in Europe after World War II, then returned to New York City and built a reputation for his dynamic, polychrome designs.

In 1982, Sugarman created “Cincinnati Story” for the former Chiquita Center in Downtown Cincinnati as a tribute to the city’s river heritage. The sculpture’s 46 colorful metal cut-outs rose from a shallow pool, with curves and jets of water echoing the movement of the Ohio River and its tributaries. The piece stood prominently in front of the building on East Fifth Street for nearly 15 years following its dedication in 1985.

“‘Cincinnati Story’ exemplifies George Sugarman’s groundbreaking use of color and form in artwork occupying public spaces,” said Nanci Lanni, a Pyramid Hill board member. “Its conservation ensures that future generations can continue to engage with an artistic interpretation of Cincinnati’s history and Sugarman’s innovative legacy.”

Sugarman died in 1999, the same year the sculpture left its downtown location. When Chiquita Brands decided to make the piece available, its future in the region hung in the balance. Refusing to let it leave, Pyramid Hill founder Harry T. Wilks rallied more than 75 community donors and moved the sculpture to the park’s overlook, where it still stands as one of the most striking landmarks in both Pyramid Hill and the city of Hamilton.

“Our father deeply understood the importance of ‘Cincinnati Story,’ and it meant a great deal to him to keep it in the area where it has so much meaning,” said Barbara Wilks, Harry’s daughter and a current member of Pyramid Hill’s board. “Restoring it now, more than two decades later, is our way of honoring his vision and ensuring that others can experience the sculpture as he always hoped they would, in its full beauty.”

Preserving art in nature

Ranked the No. 4 sculpture park in the nation by USA Today readers, Pyramid Hill continues to advance its mission of “bringing people to art in nature.” The park attracts more than 55,000 visitors each year and serves as a leading destination where art, culture and landscape converge — ensuring that works like “Cincinnati Story” remain part of the region’s artistic story for generations to come.

The restoration project, running from November through February, will focus on preserving the sculpture’s structural integrity and original color palette. Pyramid Hill staff will collaborate with professional conservators throughout the process, gaining hands-on experience that will strengthen the park’s long-term conservation program and guide future restoration of its 70-plus monumental outdoor sculptures.

When the work wraps up, crews will reinstall “Cincinnati Story” at its familiar perch overlooking Pyramid Hill’s 470 acres of rolling hills, meadows and forests. The park will host a public rededication in April to celebrate its return, coinciding with its annual observance of International Sculpture Day.

“‘Cincinnati Story’ is more than a sculpture, it’s a vivid representation of Southwest Ohio’s shared regional identity,” Lanni said.

Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park & Museum