EPAC Sculpture Exhibit People’s Choice Award Winners

The people have spoken with their ballots choosing ‘Oxymoron’, Bruce Stillman’s 12-foot, 9,000-lb. kinetic sculpture as their favorite in the 4th Annual Edina Sculpture Exhibition. As first place winner of the People’s Choice Awards, Stillman receives a $1,000 stipend.  (See photos)

“I thank the Edina Public Art Committee (EPAC) for the recognition of People's Choice Award. The Edina exhibition is a great program to help bring creative sculptures to the community,” Stillman said.

Heidi Hoy’s bronze guitar player, ‘Jack’, received the Second Place Award for which she’ll receive $750. The Third Place Award with a $500 stipend went to Joel Carter’s ‘The Healing’, a rock and bolder sculpture fashioned after Inuit stone structures of the Arctic. All three sculptures are located on The Promenade and will be on display for an additional year until May 2014.

Two other exhibition locations are Grandview Square Park near the Edina Senior Center, where the exhibit began in 2006, and new in 2012, the 50th & France downtown location. Mayor Jim Hovland suggested the expansion. EPAC under the leadership of Lois Ring, immediate past Chair; Michael Frey, Interim Director, Edina Art Center and Rachel Thelemann, Executive Director of the 50th & France Business Association turned the Mayor’s suggestion into a reality.

But more about the sculptures and artists. It’s been especially fun to view ‘Oxymoron’ the last couple of weeks. This sculpture turns heads and causes double takes as people completely circle the sculpture, heads leaning back to view the intricate swirls reflected in the light of the four huge stainless steel swingers. The sculpture is located just north of Centennial Lakes Park near Macy’s Home Store.

The swingers are moving because of, “The gravity we take for granted moving with energy from the wind,” according to the artist. Stillman started at the age of 16, selling his work at art fairs while living in St. Louis Park. In 1982, he bought a warehouse in downtown Minneapolis and turned it into 13 artist studios. By the 1980’s, he was featured in galleries around the country in Dallas, TX; Vail and Aspen, CO; Sedona, AZ; Santa Fe, NM; Palm Desert, CA; Des Moines, IA and Rochester, MN. 

In 2003, Stillman purchased land near Minnetrista and started creating Big Stone Mini Golf and Sculpture Garden (Big Stone). The unique 13-hole mini golf intertwined with delightfully creative sculptures was featured in the Oct. 11, 2012 issue of The New York Times. It’s worth checking the internet to read his story and view the 25 photos. You may want to grab your camera and head out to Big Stone to spend a few hours getting lost in the playful and whimsical sculpture garden he’s created. But you’d better hurry. He’s closing for the season in two weeks. To check opening times, visit: www.bigstoneminigolf.com.

Placement of ‘Jack’ near the Guitar Center which borders on The Promenade, was an obvious choice for EPAC members. The life-size sculpture is a result of a commission from Sharon Thaylor, who asked Hoy of St. Bonifacius, MN, to create sculptures of her three sons for their yard overlooking Lake Minnetonka. Jack, the oldest, loves playing the guitar. When he showed up to pose for the sculpture in ripped jeans and bare feet, guitar in hand, Hoy knew it would make a wonderful sculpture. Obviously, the public agrees. If you look closely, you’ll notice ‘Jack’s’ crossed toes and facial expression as he was lost in his music. Hoy even bronzed his actual jeans which is why the tears in the knees appear so real. 

Hoy explained, "Whenever I receive a commission, my first question to my client is 'How do you want to feel when you view the piece? What emotion is it that you are trying to convey?' When I make pieces for myself, I am striving to depict positive feelings. Joy, faith, gratitude, triumph and love are all themes I have explored. It is important to me to leave a legacy of positive, uplifting imagery that searches for the best in people. I also love to sculpt animals."

That love for animals is obvious when viewing ‘Spaulding’ located by Salut near 50th & France, another Hoy piece. The dog sculpture was also a commissioned piece, Hoy said, adding, "I intended to depict the unconditional love and adoration that dogs feel for their people. Whenever I look at him, I feel happy." I agree. You can’t walk by ‘Spaulding’ without smiling.

"I was really delighted to be awarded this honor of Second Place in the People’s Choice Awards," Hoy said. "It is very important that my work connects with people in a positive way, and this is a very real affirmation that ‘Jack’ succeeded in doing that."

You can see more of Hoy’s work at MoZaic Art Park in Uptown, the two towering pillars with her bronze sculptures mounted on top with the theme of Venus, the goddess of love, seeming to ride in the wind.  I love the collaboration of art and business at this small, yet powerfully artistic area tucked behind the Lagoon Theater. Edina businesses and company owners could use it as a model for including more public art in our great community. 

Hoy was one of a few Twin Cities artists profiled in a new book, "100 Midwest Artists" by Ashley Rooney (available at Barnes & Noble in the Galleria). This fall, tpt will air Minnesota Originals, a segment featuring Hoy as she worked on the sculptures for MoZaic Art Park earlier this year. Her work can be also be viewed at Stillman’s Big Stone, Art Resources in the Galleria and Studio 366 and at Art Attack Nov. 2-4, in the Northrup King Building in Northeast Minneapolis. Hoy teaches bronze casting at the Minnetonka Center for the Arts.

Joel Carter’s, ‘The Healing’, has generated a lot of interest on The Promenade since its installation at the end of May. Unfortunately, it hasn’t all been positive. Edina Police have investigated ‘The Healing’ three times after vandals damaged the steel supports holding some of the rock towers.  (See photos)

It’s ironic given the name of the sculpture and the fact that Carter is a former Emergency Room physician now working in Palliative Care at Methodist Hospital. Carter’s attitude, however, remains refreshingly positive. He wants the piece to be interactive, in a supportive way. People are drawn to bring their own rocks and add them to the ever changing sculpture.  

"I was exceedingly happy to be asked to be a contributing artist by the Edina Public Art Committee. They took a risk of 'the unknown piece' that evolved over the last few months, and continues to do so since it was created on the location. I'm very happy that the 'The Healing’ is appreciated by those who have had a chance to view it and contributed to it. I invite them to continue to do so future. It is a pleasure to be part of exceedingly inspiring company of the other artists and their stunning works," Carter said.

Carter has told EPAC that he is willing to donate the sculpture to the city. Since it was designed for that space and adds another reflective dimension to The Promenade, I believe it would be a wonderful addition to the city’s public art collection. The more the public is educated about the benefits and importance of public art, the more citizens will take ownership of the art work and appreciate its beauty. 

Carter’s latest project is a newly released book, ‘Rockpeople, Beyond Chester Creek’ published by Canukshuk Artworks. It is a compilation of philosophical reflections accompanied by Carter’s photographs of his Inuksuit stone structures which he’s created from the shores of Lake Superior to as far away as Brazil, Uruguay, Chili and New Zealand. To learn more go to www.rockpeople.org.