If you go
› What: Sculpture Fields at Montague Park grand opening.› When: 6-10 p.m. Friday, April 8; 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, April 9.› Where: 1800 Polk St.› Admission: Free› Phone: 423-266-7288.
Schedule
Friday, April 86 p.m. Opening remarks by Tony Jones, president of the Kansas City Art Institute8:30 p.m. Iron pour performance, “Cross Pollination”Saturday, April 98 a.m. Yoga class, tai chi demonstration and walking meditation9:30 a.m. Meet the Artist walk11 a.m. Artist talk by sculptor Carl BillingsleyNoon-2 p.m. Jazz music by Charlie the Head2:30 p.m. Meet the Artist walk3-5 p.m. Music by Rorey Carroll
A one-of-a-kind performance combining dance and metalworking will highlight the grand opening of the Sculpture Fields at Montague Park on Polk Street.
Two days of art and music performances, family activities, artist walks and more have been planned Friday and Saturday, April 8-9, to celebrate the opening of the 33-acre park on what was formerly a softball recreation complex.
Founded by sculptor John Henry, the park is designed to be an outdoor art museum and cultural tourist attraction, completed in three phases. There are currently 27 large-scale sculptures located on the grounds. This weekend’s grand opening marks the completion of Phase 1. When finished, the park will also house a visitor center and amphitheater.
Cathy Clifford, executive director of the park, says work has already begun on a commemorative forest in partnership with Chattanooga’s Sister City organization. Since January of this year, 87 trees have been planted on the barren ballfields, and a plan is in place to develop the park into an arboretum.
The grand-opening celebration begins Friday night at 6 p.m. with remarks by Tony Jones, president of the Kansas City Art Institute.
“Tony Jones is one of the foremost experts on the economic impact of sculpture parks. He was involved in the development of Chicago’s Millennium Park,” says Clifford. Jones will speak on the economic impact sculpture fields can have on a community, using Millennium Park as an example since its economic impact during its first 10 years of opening was $1.9 billion.
At dusk, an artistic performance will be presented at the sculpture field like no other seen here.
Eureka Foundry has donated 500 pounds of iron, which will be melted Friday afternoon in preparation for a “Cross Pollination” iron pour by artist Allen Peterson. The molten iron will be poured into molds from a cupola-style iron furnace, shaping the iron into bird-sized bees.
The bees will be removed from the casting process using cold steel handles. The molten, glowing bees will be handed to dancers in protective gear, who will use the long steel handles to “fly” the bees through the dark night.
In a choreographed dance, the bees will buzz around the park’s sculptures and pollinate a blossom (light a torch) at each before flying off to join the dance of other bees. By the time the 48th and final bee lights its torch, the park will be illuminated.
Clifford says half of the bees have been spoken for, but the remaining 24 will be sold after the performance for $50 apiece.
On Saturday, there will be artist walks at 9:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. At least 15 artists whose work is among the park’s 27 pieces will be in attendance, stationed by their work to answer questions about its creation or inspiration from walk participants.
There will be jazz music at noon and Nashville bluegrass/folk singer Rorey Carroll will perform at 3 p.m.
Clifford says all activities are family-friendly, and food trucks will be on-site for families who wish to spend the day.
Contact Susan Pierce at spierce@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6284.