Wave Dance

Aliso Creek Plaza, Laguna Beach, CA
5.7' x 4' x 1.4' — stainless steel, hand-brushed finish, concrete pedestal
City of Laguna Beach, Art in Public Places Commission

Wave Dance captures the fleeting joy of watching dolphins leap through the surf along the Laguna Beach coast. Composed of three layered, pierced stainless steel panels, the sculpture echoes the rhythm of the sea—its imagery seeming to shift and move as viewers walk by.

Visible from within sight of the ocean itself, the sculpture reflects its surroundings both literally and metaphorically. Its overlapping forms and open spaces interact with sunlight throughout the day, casting dancing shadows on the surface below. The dolphins, etched mid-arc, are a tribute to the vitality of the ocean and the quiet moments of awe it inspires.

With its brushed surface and rhythmic design, Wave Dance invites both movement and contemplation. It is one of many narrative metal works by Marsh Scott that respond to their site—engaging the viewer with layered meaning drawn from place, memory, and collective experience.