FALLBROOK – Fallbrook Art in Public Places and its partner, Save Our Forest, invited the pubic to participate in the dedication of "Roots," the newest metal sculpture to adorn the village’s landscape on Jan. 5.

Art in Public Places and its partners have been fundraising for over a year to support the creation and installation of this original metal sculpture by Escondido artist Melissa Ralston.

Ralston was selected from a number of artists who responded to a request for proposals sent out in late 2011. "Roots," an 15’ x 20‘ metal piece weighing more than 400 pounds, was installed on the wall of a building located on the corner of Main St and Hawthorne in downtown Fallbrook .

The metal-sculpted oak tree, which the artist cut from quarter-inch steel, replaces a painted mural of an oak tree created in 1998 which was damaged over the years by sun and heat. The original mural was painted to celebrate the nonprofit organization "Save Advertisement

[ Pala Mesa Resort ] our Forest" and its success in planting over 1,000 trees in Fallbrook.

Requirements for this newest community art piece included use of material other than a painted mural hoping to ensure it will better stand the test of time and retain the commemorative intent of the original mural.

The dedication of this piece by Art in Public Places and Save Our Forests represents a unique gift of public art to the Fallbrook community as it is the only outdoor wall hanging of its kind in the village. "Roots" will not only contribute to the interest and beauty of Fallbrook, but this piece of public art will stand as an enduring reminder of the dedication of many volunteers who through their vision, hands-on work and donations help to make Fallbrook a truly livable and lovely community.

Fallbrook Art in Public Places, along with Fallbrook Art Center and Fallbrook School of the Arts, is under the parent company umbrella of Fallbrook Arts, Inc.