New Sculptures Chosen for 11th Annual Florida Outdoor Sculpture Competition

Thursday, March 3, 2011  • News

Polk Museum of Art and the City of Winter Haven are pleased to announce the selection of 10 new sculptures that will be displayed in the Central Park area of Winter Haven for the next year. This is the sixth year that the pieces selected in the Florida Outdoor Sculpture Competition have been displayed in Winter Haven.

“We are so pleased that we are able to work with the City of Winter Haven again this year to enhance the quality of life by adding to the beauty of the downtown area through these outstanding sculptures,” said Daniel E. Stetson, executive director of Polk Museum of Art. “Sculpture is a dynamic form of artwork and these pieces are sure to add to the vibrancy of the Central Park area.”

“The City of Winter Haven is proud to again partner with the Polk Museum of Art and our local business sponsors in this most unique and important initiative,” said T. Michael Stavres, director of community services for Winter Haven. “The placement of sculpture in our public spaces does so much more than add color and enhanced aesthetics. The works of art expose the citizenry to new and different ideas through imagery and shape, they foster expanded dialogue further contributing to our social growth, and they help engage our youth in creative and explorative thought. We hope the community — residents and guests alike — enjoy the results of the selection committee’s efforts and spend some time with these 10 amazing artists through the creations.”

Sculptures selected this year include a dog, fish, and flower made of metal and several very colorful abstract pieces. The 10 works come from artists in seven states.

The selected artists, their hometowns and the sculptures to be displayed are:

• Doug Makemson, Nicholson, Ga.: “Lucy,” 2010, cast iron, stainless steel and hydraulic hose, 9 feet, 6 inches by 6 feet by 12 feet.
• Bruce Niemi, Kenosha, Wis.: “Suzi’s Garden Series,” 2008, stainless steel, bronze and stone, 9 feet, 6 inches by 8 feet by 3 feet, 4 inches.
• Duke Oursler, Pooler, Ga.: “Atomic Clock,” 2010, steel, 6 feet by 14 feet by 6 feet.
• Brian Reade, Asheville, N.C.: “The One That Got Away,” 2009, painted steel, 14 feet by 8 feet by 5 feet.
• Scott Strader, Decatur, Ga.: “Furious Angel,” 2010, stainless steel, 8 feet, 10 inches by 4 feet by 3 feet, 4 inches.
• Kenneth M. Thompson, Blissfield, Mich.: “Inverted Arch #4,” 2010, corten steel and limestone, 2 feet by 7 feet by 6 feet.
• Wayne Vaughn, Graham, N.C.: “Auf Einer Winternacht (On a Winter’s Night),” 2009, patina steel, 11 feet, 4 inches by 9 feet, 2 inches by 12 feet.
• Adam Walls, Laurinburg, N.C.: “Self Portrait,” 2005, painted steel, 7 feet by 5 feet, 9 inches by 7 feet, 7 inches.
• Bill Wood, Fairfax, Va.: “Tilt,” 2009, fiberglass and polyester chrome film, 7 feet by 7 feet by 7 feet.
• Glenn Zweygardt, Alfred Station, N.Y.: “Celestial Trace,” 2010, Verdi antique, cast glass, stainless steel and bronze, 7 feet, 10 inches by 6 feet by 1 foot, 11 inches.

The sculptures are being installed now and will remain on display through early March of next year. A full color catalog will accompany the exhibition.

The Florida Outdoor Sculpture Competition is a joint project of the City of Winter Haven and Polk Museum of Art. Selections were made by a committee that included representatives from the Museum, the City of Winter Haven, and the Winter Haven community. Best of Show, 2^nd Place and Honorable Mention prizes will be awarded and will be chosen by an independent judge.

The Central Park Stroll, a street party celebrating the sculptures, will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 5, and will have a “Cinco de Mayo” theme. The event was moved to a later date this year so that it would be part of the MayfaireFlorida: Festival of the Arts. Visitors to the event will have the opportunity to vote for their favorite sculpture and the piece that receives the most votes will win the People’s Choice award. More information about the Central Park Stroll will be available at a later date; watch MayfaireFlorida.org for details.