“Synesthesia” Wins Montgomery Parks Contest; Will Be Permanently Installed Next Summer

Votes are in! Winner of the Gene Lynch Urban Park art contest chosen! After a months-long selection process and a public vote, Montgomery Parks announced the winner in the Gene Lynch Urban Park art contest is “Synesthesia” by Baltimore artist Becky Borlan. The winning entry was selected among four finalists and will be permanently installed in Gene Lynch Urban Park in the summer of 2024.

“Synesthesia” features highly polished stainless-steel panels that will provide a mirrored surface to reflect the action happening in the park. It will be covered by a layer of laminated glass or acrylic containing graphic film that creates a kaleidoscope of colors. Colorful fins will project out of the main wall to give the piece dimension.

The sculpture will feature colored panels which will attach to the columns on the park’s pergola structure. LED lighting will be integrated into the art making “Synesthesia” a park focal point day or night.We are so excited about this next step toward making Gene Lynch Urban Park a visually vibrant landmark in downtown Silver Spring,” said Montgomery Parks Project Manager Linda Komes. “The park is in a commuter crossroads near the Silver Spring Metro, the Paul Sarbanes Transit Center, the future Purple Line and several regional bike trails, and this playful artwork will help define the park as a special destination, a place to pause and take in the scene.”

Synesthesia was selected from more than one hundred submissions to the Gene Lynch Park art project. A panel of community representatives selected four finalists and more than fifteen hundred people voted by phone, mail, or online to select Synesthesia as the winner. “It’s an honor to have the opportunity to contribute to Silver Spring’s vibrant downtown,” said Borlan. “I can’t wait to dive into the process of creating a captivating and colorful artwork for Gene Lynch Park.”