Tag Archives: Dean Kumpuris

Sculpture Vulture: Love and Forgiveness at St. Mark’s Episcopal

Posted on by

This week’s Sculpture Vulture focuses on Denny Haskew’s Love and Forgiveness which can be found in the columbarium at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. Donated by Mary and Dr. Dean Kumpuris it is the focal point of this peaceful, respectful site of contemplation, grief and hope.

Haskew’s sculpture features a rising figure with arms stretched out and palms facing upward towards the heavens. The figure is emerging from a cross which is planted in a pile of rocks at the base. The figure’s face is marked with a serene determination.

This sculpture was cast in 1999. It stands approximately 8 feet tall in bronze on top of a two foot stone base. It was the first of Haskew’s sculptures to be placed in Little Rock.  He now has several in private collections as well as Riverfront Park.

A member of the National Sculptors’ Guild, Haskew has participated each year in the Sculpture at the River Market invitational.

Sculpture Vulture: RABBIT REACH

Posted on by

Tomorrow is the Chinese New Year — it marks the start of the Year of the Dragon.  That means today is the last day of the Year of the Rabbit.

In honor of that, today’s Sculpture Vulture features Tim Cherry’s Rabbit Reach.

The sculpture is located at the corner of Sherman Street and President Clinton Avenue across from 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.

Cherry’s sculpture was selected for this spot because of its proximity to children at the Museum and in the River Market district.  The design and size of the sculpture encourages children to climb on it and to play around the rabbit.  While some public art is situated so it cannot be touched, this one is situated to be touched as part of the appreciation experience.

Sculpture Sunday: Together

Posted on by

A focal point of the revitalized Riverfront Park is Mark Leichliter’s Together. It was dedicated in 2008 in conjunction with the dedication of the Peabody Park play area. The piece was a gift from Longtime Little Rock banker Jack Fleischauer in honor of his three children Jennifer, Laura and Robert.

Mr. Fleischauer was battling a terminal illness when he worked with Dr. Dean Kumpuris and John Kinkade of the National Sculptor’s Guild in selecting Mark Leichliter to create this sculpture. He did not live to see the dedication, but his daughters were present at the ceremony.

The text of the accompanying plaque states:

Together.

It is in this place where we write the stories and create the dreams that will endure throughout our lifetime.

May we always cherish the spark of innocence that plays within us.

Presented to children of all ages by Jack Fleischauer in honor of his children Jennifer, Laura and Robert.

20120107-200445.jpg

Sculpture Sunday: Forever a Rose

Posted on by

Today’s public art is Denny Haskew’s Forever a Rose which was installed in Riverfront Park in 2009.  Sited on a promontory next to the Arkansas River and surrounded by roses, it almost immediately became a favorite spot for engagement and bridal photos. 

Forever a Rose was donated by brothers Dean and Drew Kumpuris, both promoters of public art in Little Rock.  Haskew, a member of the National Sculptors Guild, has several other placements in Little Rock.