Sculpture reshapes park

Under the trees, a free outdoor gallery springs up in celebration of art

Saturday, Sept. 8, 2007

By Marcie Young
Charlotte Observer Staff Writer

LENOIR -If you've got a hankering to see some art this weekend, Lenoir is the place to be.

About 70 sculptors from across the country will gather today at the 22nd annual Sculpture Celebration to showcase more than 100 pieces of art from the abstract to the literal.

Set on sloping hills and beneath the shade of leafy trees, the sculptures turn J.E. Broyhill Park in downtown Lenoir into a 7-acre outdoor museum that is free and open to the public.

"It's exciting to watch this nice park turn into a gallery," said Lee Carol Giduz, executive director of the Caldwell Arts Council. "That overnight evolution is really cool."

And if Lenoir isn't the first place to pop into your head when you think about art, think again.
Major cities boasting public art collections have a rival in Caldwell County, one of the nation's premier areas for public outdoor sculpture.

Nearly 50 works of art are scattered around the county, putting it among the largest outdoor public sculpture collections, per capita, in the United States.

Keith Willis, a Lenoir native, is unveiling a piece called "Reunion" -- a three-part sculpture of tree trunks, gourds and steel he set up beneath the arch of two towering oaks.

And location, he said, is key.

"Everybody comes real early (on Friday) to get the good spot," he said.

The winner of the festival takes home $3,000, and second place pockets $2,000. Six others will win $500.

Want to Go?
The Caldwell Arts Council will present its 22nd annual Sculpture Celebration from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today at J.E. Broyhill Park, 509 Ridge St., downtown Lenoir. Free and open to the public; sculptures available for purchase.

While you're downtown, stop by the Lenoir Folk Art and Antique Festival for live music and clogging or shop for arts, crafts and antiques.

From Hickory, take U.S. 321 north toward Lenoir. Turn left toward U.S. 64/N.C 18 and continue straight onto Harper Avenue. For the sculpture celebration, turn right onto Ridge Street. For the folk art and antique festival, continue straight.

For more information, visit http://www.caldwellarts.com/

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