COLUMBUS – Pizzuti Solutions today unveiled a work of art donated during a public program at the Fran Ryan Center. Pizzuti Solutions worked as an Owner’s Representative on the community center, where the piece will be permanently displayed.
Pizzuti Solutions LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Pizzuti Companies and combines public sector expertise with private sector experience to guide the success of public projects. Serving predominantly as project manager or Owner’s Representative, Pizzuti Solutions facilitates strategic and tactical efforts of public projects large and small to help leaders move their communities forward.
The inclusion of public art by Pizzuti Solutions creates an enhanced experience for clients, delivering on The Pizzuti Companies’ commitment to living with art and the sense of community it fosters. As public art is an often-overlooked aspect of many public / private partnerships, the Pizzuti family’s connection to the art community makes artwork more accessible, so as not to be restricted to the traditional museum or gallery.
Sitting Pretty by Derrick Adams, the donated piece, is from Adams’ Live and In Color series, which focuses on the pivotal era between the 1970s and 1990s as national television attempted to reflect the diversity of its audience more realistically. His works are all deeply rooted in the African American experience, the shape of that identity, and the stereotypes that persist.
Adams’ strong design sensibility makes for complex structured assemblages that draw on urban plans and architectural frameworks, fashion, and pop culture. Patterns and bold colors create a graphic organization of people and places that is both pleasantly lively and energetically fragmented, making this the ideal piece for the building from an internationally recognized artist.
“We want to foster an appreciation for public art in community spaces for many years to come,” said Joel Pizzuti, President and CEO of The Pizzuti Companies. “The incorporation of art is a key component in Pizzuti Solutions’ approach as an Owner’s Representative. Derrick Adams’ work was a natural choice, as it complements the project objectives of community pride and diversity.”
The Fran Ryan Center is the City of Columbus’ newest facility, a 44,000 square-foot building offering a focus on seniors. The Center provides a creative arts and wellness hub, hands-on programming for all ages includes woodworking, ceramics, stained glass, a fitness center, nutrition workshops, the Golden Hobby Shop, and more.
“The Fran Ryan Center was designed to reflect the vibrancy of our community, and today, that vision comes to life in full color,” said Bernita A. Reese, M.S., CPRP, Director of Columbus Recreation and Parks Department. “Derrick Adams’ Sitting Pretty is more than a piece of art – it's a celebration of culture, identity, and belonging. We’re proud to partner with The Pizzuti Companies to bring powerful, meaningful public art into the heart of our neighborhoods,”
Additional details about Pizzuti Solutions, the artist, and the artwork, including images, can be found by clicking here. Pizzuti Solutions’ art unveiling is one milestone amongst many the community center has celebrated since its January 2025 grand opening. To learn more, visit columbusrecparks.com/facilities/franryancenter.