Tag Archives: National Sculptors’ Guild

Sculpture Vulture: Michael Warrick’s GROWN

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Since June is a month in which people spend a lot of time in gardens, the Sculpture Vulture will focus on sculptures found in a garden. In this instance it is the Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden, located in Riverfront Park. Over 30 sculptures are located in this garden, which opened in 2009.

Today’s is Michael Warrick’s Grown which was installed in 2010. Using bronze, Warrick creates a framework to evoke the lower-half of a human. What initially looks merely like an abstract series of strips is, in fact, sculpted to resemble twigs and branches. The sculpture is approximately four feet tall, making it roughly 25% larger than life.

Warrick is a longtime faculty member at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and has sculptures placed as far away as China in addition to appearing in many public and private collections in Arkansas and throughout the United States.

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

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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 Sunday: Together

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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.

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Sculpture Sunday: Forever a Rose

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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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sculpture Sunday: Stars and Stripes

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As part of the Veteran’s Day weekend, today’s Sculpture Sunday showcases Kathleen Caricof’s Stars and Stripes in the Sturgis Veterans Plaza at War Memorial Park.  This 36 by 40 feet stainless steel sculpture welcomes visitors to the park and was dedicated in 2008 in conjunction with the 60th anniversary of War Memorial Stadium.

 

 

There are five interlocked stars which represent the five branches of the military: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard – both the active duty and the reserve segments of each branch as well as their affiliated guard units.

 

 

The gleaming stainless steel is both light and durable to represent the strength and vitality of the men and women who protect the United States and have done so for centuries.

 

 

Caricof, a member of the National Sculptors Guild, was selected for the commission after a national competition by the War Memorial Stadium Commission.  She has several other pieces in Little Rock which will be featured in future entries.

 

Arts & Humanities Month: Sculpture at the River Market

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For the fifth year, the River Market Pavilions and surrounding area will be filled with hundreds of sculptures and thousands of people as the annual Sculpture at the River Market returns from October 14 through 16.

Several of the pieces purchased at previous shows are now on display throughout Little Rock including in Riverfront Park’s Vogel Schwartz Sulpture Garden.

The sculptures featured will include all types of media, style, subject matter, and size.  Among the artists participating are Michael Warrick, Kathleen Caricof, Tim Cherry, Denny Haskew, Shelley Buonaiuto, Dale Roark, Margaret Warren, Carolyn Barlock, Rollin Karg, Ed Pennebaker, Don Rambadt, Ron Chapel, Charles White, Jane Dedecker, Seth Vandable, Ted Schaal, Merrilee Cleveland, Timothy Nimmo, Clay Enoch, Mark Leichliter, James Vilona, Darrell Davis, Susie Chisholm, Daivd Nunneley, C.T. Whitehouse, Belgin Yucelen, Dee Clements, Terry Bean, Merlel Randolph, Karla Runquist, James Paulsen, Peter Rujuwa, Bryan Massey Sr., William Kolok, John Sewell, Ken Newman, Kim Shaklee, Gene Sparling, Alex Brown, Connie Hendrix, Pati Stajcar, Jim Goshorn, Julie McCraney-Brogdon, and Kevin Robb.

Admission to Sculpture at the River Market is free. Sculpture at the Market will run from 9AM to 5PM on Saturday, October 15 and from 10AM to 4PM on Sunday, October 16.

The sale and show is sponsored by the City of Little Rock and the National Sculptors’ Guild. Proceeds from the sale of artwork will fund upgrades in Riverfront Park and the River Market.