Sculpture in the Park Exhibit Coming to St. Charles

The eighth annual Sculpture in the Park art exhibit is coming next mont, according to the St. Charles Park District, which is hosting an evening event to celebrate the exhibit’s opening.

The public reception is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, June 14, 2013 in Mt. St. Mary Park in downtown St. Charles, and will include complimentary wine and snacks, as well as the artwork along the banks of the Fox River.

According to a release from the St. Charles Park District, Sculpture in the Park began eight years ago as a way to showcase artwork in the St. Charles area. This year, the exhibit boasts 10 total pieces, including several permanent installations. The sculptures are placed along the five-eighths mile walking path in Mt. St. Mary Park.

Set on the shores of the Fox River, the park serves as a backdrop to the outdoor art show. Visitors are invited to walk around the park, take photographs — even take time for a picnic lunch in front of their favorite piece of artwork all summer long.

Holly Wiggins, a St. Charles Park District representative on the Sculpture Committee, said in the release that the venue for Sculpture in the Park attracts visitors from all over the Fox Valley area.

“Mt. St. Mary Park is an incredible setting for this exhibit. It’s a beautifully maintained park with water access and family-fun activities like tennis, basketball, canoeing, biking and flying a kite. With such a beautiful river front, everyone is sure to enjoy and appreciate the art sculptures,” she said in the district’s release.

“The weekday night reception has been very popular. Each guest will receive two complimentary glasses of wine,” Wiggins said. “There will be time for mingling, presentations, and for people to walk the park, see the exhibit and visit with artists.”

St. Charles Public Library Director Diana Brown, who is a Sculpture Committee member, said she would like to see increased awareness and funding for the exhibit. “It is extremely important that the committee get support in the form of donations and grants. People are enjoying the exhibit, but they are not funding it.”

Last year’s Sculpture in the Park exhibit attracted more than 8,000 visitors to Mt. St. Mary Park, according to the St. Charles Park District.

“On any given day in the park, you can see the range of people there. The demographics represent the entire spectrum of ages, ethnic groups, and so on,” Brown said. “Everyone truly enjoys Sculpture in the Park so it’s a great place for a business to get increase visibility. It’s something that beautifies the park and expands people’s experience with art so I think it’s important for the community.”

This year’s exhibit showcases sculptors from around the nation:

• My Rescue by Martha Cares of Sawyer, Mich.
• Starts on the Wind by Richard Taylor of Milwaukee, Wis.
• Mr. Eggwards by Kimber Fiebeger of Minneapolis, Minn.
• Padre Pio by Titus Tomescu of Chicago.
• Leo and Sympatico (Chelsea & Kaitlyn), by Pokey Park of Tuscon, Ariz.

Four pieces from local artists also will be featured:

• Lissome by Guy Bellaver.
• Bomb Pop by Howard Russo.
• Suess’s Needle by Todd Willing.
• Solitude by Douglas Eageny.

Sculpture in the Park represents the combined efforts of the St. Charles Park District, the St. Charles Park Foundation and the Downtown St. Charles Partnership.

All sculptures are for sale, and those interested in buying one should call 630-513-4316.

For more information about the exhibit, please visit www.stcparks.org.

SOURCE: St. Charles Park District

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