Usually, filtered air and still surroundings blanket art. But in Little Rock, sculpture seems to beg for uncovered climes, considering the city’s namesake—a naturally carved sandstone formation on the water’s edge. Let La Petite Roche provoke thought. The nearby Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden in Riverfront Park couldn’t be a more artful venue.
Established in 2009, the garden became the most concentrated, intimate area of sculpture in the Art Along the River concept, which was developed to enhance Riverfront Park. Currently comprising 16 pieces by professional artists from all over the U.S. with national and regional reputations, the garden has already established itself as an integral piece of the city and state’s arts scene, said Jane Rogers, president of the Board of Sculpture at the River Market.
Rogers is involved with many local and national organizations, including the Board of Regents for the University of Arkansas, the Delta Trust’s board of directors, the Little Rock Garden Club and Chi Omega Fraternity, of which she is the national foundation president. Her work with the Board of Sculpture is as exciting as anything she does, she said. “With continued effort, we are making sure Art Along the River will soon become a major public art collection in the South,” she said. “With the Arkansas Arts Center and Art Along the River here in Little Rock, and Crystal Bridges Art Museum opening in northwest Arkansas, the state is suddenly becoming a player in this country’s art world.”
Most of the garden’s pieces are of museum-quality cast bronze, but there are also sculptures in stone, steel, stainless steel and multimedia. “The direction has been to place high-quality fine art with multiple themes, thereby giving people the opportunity to enjoy many styles, techniques and subjects,” Rogers said. “We have made a sincere effort to have public art that will speak to everyone’s aesthetic, knowing that not everyone likes the same type of art.”
The outdoor locale isn’t only fitting for Little Rock; it’s also important because it makes the art public, she said. “Public art helps to make a city much more livable—it gives it a softer side that you don’t get any other way.” Making the sculptures accessible to everyone is valuable to the city’s culture, but it comes at a cost. Both the sculptures and their maintenance require funding.
For the past three years, money has been raised through the Sculpture at the River Market show and sale. This year’s event, to be held October 16 and 17, will feature several sculptors who are considered to be some of the country’s best, according to Rogers. One such artist, Ken Newman, has been juried into three major museum shows this year. The artists are juried into the River Market show from photos of existing work. “I am excited to see the new work of a number of artists that I have come to know and started to follow, like Denny Haskew, Jane DeDecker and Kathleen Caricof, who won the best of show last year,” Rogers said.
In all, more than 800 sculptures by 44 artists from as far away as California will make the show, “one of the few shows of its caliber where admission is free,” Rogers said. “The art this year is very eclectic. It ranges from contemporary non-representational to classical. In addition, we have made a special effort to have sculptures priced under $1,000 by having a miniature booth.”
Attendees can converse with each artist in his or her booth while looking at the work. This year, more mediums will be represented, including ceramic, glass and fabricated sculptures. Many sculptures from past shows were placed in patrons’ homes and gardens, but some pieces became public art, like the sculptures on display at the Little Rock Convention Center and Robinson Music Hall, furthering the same cause the Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden’s seeks to achieve. “Public art is a key element to a very successful and livable city,” Rogers said.
On the sculpture featured in the photograph above: The artist is Kathleen Caricof, and the piece is called “New Beginnings.” It’s made out of Colorado Yule marble.
Favorite sculpture in the garden: “Forever A Rose” by Denny Haskew.
Favorite chair: It’s actually a rock down at Riverfront Park that’s like a chair. It’s placed in the hillside that is close to the river, right outside the back of the Peabody Hotel. It was brought from Petit Jean, and it’s in the Jack Fleischauer Garden. It’s absolutely beautiful.
Preview Party
River Market Pavilions
Friday, Oct. 15, 6:30 p.m.
Tickets: $100, available at SculptureAtTheRiverMarket.com or by calling 664-1919
Music, food and drinks. Business attire.
Show and Sale
River Market Pavilions
Saturday, Oct. 16, 9 a.m.-
5 p.m. and Sunday, Oct. 17,
10 a.m.-4 p.m.
admission: Free