Franklin Park Mall has recently been recognized for its major contribution to the International Year of Glass, receiving a Silver MAXI Award at the 2023 ICSC Global Awards. With their “Together We Soar” community art installation featuring 15, larger-than-life glass mosaic butterflies suspended from the mall’s iconic skylight, the Toledo community can experience this exceptional display of modern art.

Franklin Park Mall was recognized for its outstanding contribution to the International Year of Glass with a Silver MAXI award at the 2023 ICSC Global Awards. The shopping center was celebrated for its permanent “Together We Soar” community art installation project, which consists of 15-larger-than- life mosaic butterflies hanging from the iconic center skylight. This award is a testament to the dedication and hard work of the Toledo community in creating this beautiful art installation.

Franklin Park Mall is proud to be one of the 100 finalists for the prestigious MAXI Awards, competing against retail centers in China, Malaysia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and more. This award recognizes the mall’s events to honor its glass history and industries, as well as glass makers and artists, culminating in a community collaboration project that resulted in a colorful, dynamic, and distinctive work of art, echoing the spirit of a diverse yet unified community. The art installation, titled “Reflections of Glass,” is a stunning representation of the mall’s commitment to celebrating its local heritage and fostering a sense of unity among its visitors. Through this project, Franklin Park Mall has successfully transformed its space into a vibrant and visually captivating experience that showcases the beauty and creativity of glass art.

Gail Christofferson, a local artist and project leader was honored to have worked on this project, along with Toledo Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz and United States Representative Marcy Kaptur. Winning this award is the perfect ending to a remarkable project. The collaborative effort not only showcased the talent and creativity of the local glass makers and artists but also highlighted the strong sense of unity and pride within the community. The recognition received through this award serves as a testament to the success and impact of their hard work, leaving a lasting legacy for future generations to admire.

Franklin’s Success Throughout the Years

Franklin Park Mall received multiple awards at the Pacific Retail Capital Partners (PRCP) National Conference in 2018, including PRCP Team of the Year, Best Community Event for Together, We Soar: Celebrating Glass in the Glass City, and an Honorable Mention in the Most Unique Event Category for the Toledo City Paper Fashion Spreads.

The International Year of Glass was a great success, made possible partly by the hard work of the Toledo community and the permanent installation of a vibrant “Together We Soar” artwork project at Franklin Park Mall. At the 2023 ICSC Global Awards, it was recognized with a Silver MAXI Award for its contributions to the celebration of glass. The esteemed recognition is the cherry on top of an inspiring communal project, showing just how much can be accomplished with dedication and dedication from individuals from different backgrounds and industries. Through this award, Franklin Park Mall has proven how valuable projects that foster diversity, kindness, collaboration, and creativity are.