Naples’ newest public art piece unveils
Acclaimed artist to install ‘Traveler’ sculpture along Gulf Shore Boulevard
April 20, 2026
SPECIAL TO FLORIDA WEEKLY
Mixed Media Glass Sculptor, Herb Babcock is pictured above carving the plaster mold in his studio and welding metal components. -METHOD & CONCEPT / COURTESY PHOTO
Internationally acclaimed artist Herb Babcock is to install his first monumental public glass sculpture in Southwest Florida along Naples’ iconic Gulf Shore Boulevard this spring.
Contemporary art gallery and design studio Method & Concept announces the forthcoming installation of “Traveler,” a monumental glass and bronze sculpture by Babcock, an internationally recognized. The work will be installed along the scenic Gulf Shore Boulevard North walkway in the Park Shore neighborhood of Naples, with an unveiling anticipated this spring.
“What makes this work so compelling is its sensitivity to light and place,” says Chad Jensen, Creative Director of Method & Concept. “Herb studied the site at different times of day and considered the seasonal shifts, ensuring Traveler evolves with the changing light and coastal environment.”
“Traveler” marks Babcock’s first major public sculpture in Southwest Florida and expands the artist’s growing portfolio of large-scale works exhibited internationally. Method & Concept was engaged by the Park Shore Fund Committee to develop the curatorial vision for the project and present artists and concepts for consideration, ultimately selecting Babcock for the commission.
Weighing approximately 700 pounds — including nearly 200 pounds of solid cast glass — the sculpture is supported by a stainless-steel armature and bronze cladding. The work will join other public artworks along the boulevard, contributing to the evolving cultural landscape of the waterfront corridor.
Abstract and geometric, “Traveler” suggests a human figure in forward motion — a poised yet powerful expression of movement, balance, and progression designed to resonate with its coastal setting. The project has been supported by the Park Shore Fund Committee, which raised funds to acquire the work with the intention of donating the sculpture to the City of Naples for permanent public display.
Traveler, will weigh approximately 700 pounds with a solid glass feature that will have an interplay with the natural light. (pictured left-to-right: glass in the final stages of the cooling process prior to the release from the mold)/a full-size mock-up of the sculpture in the artist studio/a hand-drawn preliminary sketch by the artist to show scale). -METHOD & CONCEPT / COURTESY PHOTO
About Method & Concept
Method & Concept is located at 1458 Railhead Blvd. Naples and can be reached at 239-529-2633 with information online at methodandconcept.com.
The contemporary art gallery and interdisciplinary design studio based in Naples represents an international roster of emerging artists and established designers. The gallery presents exhibitions and cultural programming that foster the exchange of new ideas across disciplines. The studio also collaborates with collectors, architects, and interior designers to integrate contemporary art, collectible design, and bespoke interiors.
