5th Annual Edina Sculpture Exhibit

The most exciting time of the year is here for the Edina Public Art Committee (EPAC).  You may have noticed changes with 11 new sculptures arriving to replace those that have recently completed their year’s showing.  

We invite you to tour the sculptures in all three locations and enjoy the mix of realism, whimsical and abstract art in this year’s exhibit. 

The 5th Annual Opening of the Sculpture Exhibit reception honoring artists will be Wed., June 12th at Pinstripes from 5 to 7 p.m.  As Chair of EPAC, I’ll be hosting the event with Mayor Jim Hovland speaking about 6 p.m. All supporters of Edina art are welcome.

50th & France: 

Intersection by Steve Elliott was the first to be installed May 7th near Lunds.  You’ll want to check out Look Closer by Nicklas Legeros, a circular glass impression of his son, near the fountain across from the Edina Cinema. Jester Light, a whimsical, swirling working light sculpture by Kimber Fiebiger is expected to be illuminating the area near Sur la table soon.

Grandview Square Park: 

Number Seven, a large horse made of horseshoes by Kristen Piersa Kregel has been delighting passersby since appearing May 16th. A burst of energy - Éclat d'énergie - by emerging young artist Brandon Lee is being installed this week. The whimsical Egghead by Kimber Fiebiger, will be coming at the end of May. The sculpture is sure to delight visitors young and not so young to the nearby Edina Library and Senior Center.

The Promenade: 

Art Norby’s bronze of two children playing Leap Frog welcomes walkers and bikers across from the Galleria. Four more sculptures will be installed before the first week in June. Standing Bear by Karl Friedrich will be between Brandon Square and Target. Look for Escaped from the Depths by Chris Gustafson near The Healing by Joel Carter, last year’s Third Place People Choice Award Winner.  

Look and You Will Find It by Kate Christopher will be just a few steps from Oxymoron by Bruce Stillman, last year’s People’s Choice Award winner. And not far from Jack by Heidi Hoy, last year’s Second Place People’s Choice Award Winner, you will find Slapshot by Judd Nelson near Yorktown Plaza off Hazelton Road.

We’re excited about incorporating QR Codes on the artist plaques for the first time this year. The new technology allows your smart phones to ‘read’ information about the sculptures, artists and link you to the Edina Art Center and city websites for more information. Details are being worked out to allow voting for the People’s Choice Award through the QR Codes. Look for updates here and in the media. Don’t forget to download a free QR Code app for your smart phone or tablet.

EPAC members will once again be offering group and public tours of the sculpture exhibit. Notices of times and meeting places will appear in this Blog as well as the Sun Current, the city email blast, Edina Art Center, EPAC and Edina city websites. 

A tremendous amount of work goes in to our annual exhibit by committee members and others. Please let them know that you enjoy viewing Edina’s unique sculpture exhibit. 

Hat’s off to my committee colleagues: Mark Lidke for his invitation card design work; Pat Beaver and Sarah Rose for organizing the opening event and Bernice Amacher a whiz at addressing invitations. Other EPAC members who have helped in many ways include: Walt Gregg, Bill McCabe, Lynn Rudick, Faye Ellison-Mitchell and Edina High School student and artist Anna Pugh.  

We also appreciate owner Dale Schwartz and his Pinstripes crew including Sandie Montgomery and Amy Jackson who are generously donated their wonderful space overlooking Centennial Lakes as well as delicious hearty appetizers for the reception. 

This is my first year coordinating the installation of 11 sculptures as well as the deinstallation of 11 sculptures, no small feat. One artist drove to Utah to collect her sculpture before showing it in Edina’s exhibit. 

We couldn’t manage without Michael Frey, Director of Edina Art Center, who as always, has supported the entire process from sending the original call for artists in February to providing supplies for the opening, ordering title plaques and countless other ways. 

Thanks, too, to Jennifer Bennerotte, Director of Communications and Marketing, and her capable team who are helping with the QR Code, promotion of the exhibit and have videoed some of the installations. 

I’d also like to salute several city employees who have been wonderfully supportive in the process. From Mayor Jim Hovland, the City Council and City Manager, Scott Neal, all of whom champion public art to Ann Kattreh, Director of Parks and Recreation; Tom Shirley, Centennial Lakes Park Manager and his staff Laura Knollmaier, Doug May and Ted Stephenson. Then there is Larry Diekmann, known affectionately as the ‘50th & France Man’ and his boss, John Scheerer, Public Works Streets Supervisor; Brian Olson, Public Works Director; Wayne Houle, Director of Engineering and colleague Dan McMahon. 

Lastly, we’re excited to partner later this summer with the Galleria which will be featuring photos of the 11 new sculptures and a voting option for the People’s Choice Awards competition. Thanks to Luis Serrat, Vice President for Retail and Susan Evans with Evans Larson Communications. The celebration will include sculptor artists, EPAC members, city employees and the public. Follow this EdinaPatch Blog for more details.