Redding to unveil ‘Infinite Journey’ sculpture honoring Susan Emmerson

REDDING, Calif. — The City of Redding is set to unveil its latest public art installation, “Infinite Journey,” with a dedication ceremony scheduled for Thursday, April 24, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. The event will take place adjacent to the Stress Ribbon Bridge along the Sacramento River Trail, and the public is invited to attend.

The concrete sculpture, a collaboration between RE:site Studio of Houston, Texas, and UPC Parks of Redding, was selected from over 200 submissions by artists from across the globe. Designed to be both elegant and durable, the piece offers visitor seating and sweeping views of the river and sunsets. It is located at the north end of the Sacramento River Trail, near the iconic Stress Ribbon Bridge.

“The sculpture’s form evokes a Mӧbius, a symbol of unity and infinity. This never-ending path resonates with the cycles of nature on the Sacramento River Trail: the sun’s movement across the California sky, native wildflowers that bloom seasonally, migratory patterns of birds and butterflies, and the ebb and flow of the river,” explains artist Norman Lee of RE:site Studio.

The project was made possible by a $1 million gift from Susan Emmerson’s family and friends. The donation also funded new murals and railing paint on the Stress Ribbon Bridge, as well as long-term maintenance of the artwork and surrounding area, ensuring a lasting tribute to Emmerson.

“We are deeply honored to partner with the Emmerson family to add this beautiful sculpture to this wild and scenic setting, a fitting tribute to Susan Emmerson, whose legacy of kindness, creativity, and community spirit lives on through her family’s generosity,” says City Manager Barry Tippin.

Susan Emmerson, who passed away in 2020, was known for her dedication to teaching and volunteerism. She had a special place in her heart for nature and art, frequently walking the River Trail with her husband, George, and their friends. Emmerson was also a founding board member of the Community Foundation of the North State, where her generosity left a lasting impact.

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