ROCKLAND — Rockland artist Joe Auciello was still making final adjustments to his sculpture installation at the newly completed Ferry Terminal Park, Oct. 10, when local merchants and out-of-state visitors were praising the city's new addition.

Genesis was created during the 2011 J.C. Stone Sculpture Symposium in Coopers Mills. Split from a single slab of Englishman's Bay granite, two 9-foot tall pieces depict the moment of beginning, through relief carvings of two figures touching at a point of light.

Mary Elliot and Victor Contento, of Watertown, Mass., are frequent visitors to the Midcoast and arrived at Ferry Terminal Park as crew from Arthur D. Henry Crane Service were assisting Auciello in setting one of the 6,700 pound uprights.

Elliot said the installation marked an acknowledgment of Rockland's roots in the granite industry. Contento said the work extends Rockland's arts presence further along Main Street and into the experience of visitors arriving by ferry and bus.

Genesis is on loan to the City of Rockland. Joe and Shlomit Auciello said they are pleased to help support the city’s efforts to promote more public art, as Rockland prepares for an opening ceremony for the newly created Ferry Terminal Park.

The city has allowed the Auciellos to display Genesis on a temporary basis, while the Rockland City Council works with various interests groups and stakeholders on the development of a public policy to regulate the display of art at designated areas. A ceremony to officially open the park is being planned for Thursday, Oct. 24, at 4 p.m..

Also assisting in the installation were Norman Casas, of Washington, and Daniel Ucci, of Pittston.

To learn more about Genesis and the work of Joe Auciello, contact the artist at auciello@midcoast.com or visit the website at auciellostone.com.