A new sculpture celebrating free speech is being installed today in St. Paul's Western Sculpture Park.

It's a 17-foot-long, bright yellow megaphone, called "Democracy Speaks." It's made of fabricated and painted steel, and, appropriately, points right at the state Capitol, located just a few blocks to the east.

It was created by Minnesota artists John Hock and Andrew MacGuffie on a commission from Public Art St. Paul.

It's being installed this morning, and a ceremony will be held at 3:30 p.m., with lemonade.

More about the sculptors, from a press release:

John Hock is one of the nation's most admired sculptors and has dedicated his life to promotion and support of sculpture as the founder and Artistic Director of Franconia Sculpture Park. His work has been exhibited and collected nationwide, including at the International Sculpture Center in Hamilton, New Jersey and Chicago's renowned Pier Walk. Hock was instrumental in establishing Western Park's sculpture exhibition in 1998 and has been engaged by Public Art Saint Paul as its exhibition curator for the past 11 years.

Andrew MacGuffie's work has been exhibited and commissioned from Minneapolis and Franconia to Vilnus, Lithuania and Chalon-sur-Saone, France. He is the winner of numerous artist fellowships and awards. Like Hock, MacGuffie lends his talent and expertise to support the work of artists and arts organizations throughout the region and is considered a foremost rigger and sculpture installer.

The Western Sculpture Park is on the west side of Marion Street, across from the Rice Street Sear's store.