Today is Father’s Day. Little Rock has at least five sculptures which reflect the theme of the day.
In Riverfront Park, Jane DeDecker’s THE TIES THAT BIND shows a father helping his son tie his shoes. It was installed in tribute to longtime Little Rock KATV executive Dale Nicholson. He had been an active supporter of Sculpture at the River Market. It is placed near another sculpture by Jane DeDecker, which Nicholson had selected as a memorial to his wife.
Not far from THE TIES THAT BIND is Kevin Kresse’s BREAKING THE CYCLE. Installed in 2013, it shows a son pushing his father in a wheelbarrow. At the time of the dedication, Kresse commented the piece is meant to show a father and son who have decided to “switch things up” for a new perspective on life. Kresse and his son were the models for the piece.
One of the first sculptures placed in Riverfront Park in 2004 was DeDecker’s ANGLERS. It shows a grandfather and granddaughter going off to fish. This sculpture is located near the Witt Stephens Jr. Central Arkansas Nature Center.
The sculpture was dedicated in November 2004 a few days before the opening of the Clinton Presidential Center. it was selected, in part, because it paid tribute to the natural habitat of the area. Since the sculpture was installed, not only has the Nature Center opened, but the Bill Clark Presidential Park Wetlands were created.
Near the Marriott Hotel, in the Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden, is C. T. Whitehouse’s HUDSON’S VOYAGE. This sculpture is a tribute to his father.
Located near the Arkansas River, it reflects not only the boats and barges which travel by it daily, but is also symbolic of Whitehouse’s father’s service in the Navy and the possibilities that opened up for him.
Lastly, Tim Cherry’s RABBIT REACH is located near the Museum of Discovery. The sculpture is a gift from Whitlow Wyatt and the Carey Cox Wyatt Charitable Foundation. It was given in memory of George Wyatt and Frank Kumpuris. Those two gentlemen were the fathers of Whitlow Wyatt and Dean & Drew Kumpuris.
Little Rock Culture Vulture 