The Mount Vernon Sculpture Trail was dedicated at a ribbon cutting Saturday, Oct. 14, held by the Mount Vernon Area Arts Council.
The project is a joint collaboration between the City of Mount Vernon and the MVAAC, with the city funding the first batch of sculptures.
Marie DeVries said the plan was for this project to be a four year project, with additional sculptures to be added to the trail in the future. MVAAC received a grant of $10,000 from the Iowa Economic Development Authority for the next batch of public art, and plans for the next request for proposals will be advancing later this fall.
“How lucky we are to live in a community where the mayor, city council and parks and recreation department see the importance of the sculpture trail,” DeVries said.
Bob Campagna, one of the people who had the idea for the sculpture trail, noted that this is something children and grandchildren in the community can enjoy.
“It really grew out of the derecho and trying to come up with ways to possibly use remaining wood from that natural disaster into art pieces into this,” Campagna said.
He drew inspiration from the sculpture trail in Loveland, Colo., which now has more than 200 different sculpture pieces.
Scott Rose spoke on behalf of the City of Mount Vernon.
Rose noted growing up, he was signed up for all things the parks and recreation department offered, which included several art classes in the summer taught by locals sharing their talent with others.
“What I see when I look at this sculpture trail is one more example of the excellent collaboration that exists in Mount Vernon,” Rose said.
Artists Gail Chavenelle and Joe Norman were unable to be in attendance, but provided words on their sculptures.
Chavenelle described Dance Diversity as a three element, brightly multicolored sculpture collection that visually attracts along the sculpture trail.
“The vibrant, tall elements of Dance Diversity make a visually striking and captivating landmark along the walking trail. Its unique design and vibrant colors can become iconic representations of the trail itself,” Chavenelle wrote. “People may associate the trail with the strong sculpture and recognize it as a symbol of the trail’s character and mission. This branding can contribute to the trail’s recognition and reputation attracting more visitors and creating a sense of community pride.”
Chavenelle also views the piece as a symbol of Mount Vernon’s inclusivity and welcoming, celebrating diverse cultures and people.
“By installing it on the walking trail, it serves as a powerful symbol of inclusivity, promoting harmony and acceptance within the Mount Vernon community. Dance Diversity trio visually communicates the message that diversity is something to be embraced and celebrated,” Chavenelle said.
Dance Diversity also enhances the beauty of the nature around it and provides excellent photo opportunities for people along the trail.
“I am excited and honored that Dance Diversity was chosen for the Mount Vernon Sculpture Trail,” Chavenelle said. “As an inaugural sculpture, Dance Diversity will help establish a distinct identity and branding to enhance the existing walking path- beginning transformation into a Sculpture Trail.”
Joe Norman of Colorado was the artist of the piece Girl/Hawk.
Norman said that he has been interested in creating public sculptures that show different images or words depending on the viewpoint of the observer.
“I believe that having two ideas coexist in a single piece is a useful metaphor for the ecosystem of ideas that public art empowers and protects,” Norman said. “I particularly like taking two ideas that I previously thought were mutually exclusive, yet in fact may not be. In the past I’ve combined the words ‘Story/Truth’, ‘Fear/Love’, and images of people and migratory animals into single sculptures.”
The piece was inspired by watching his daughter and her friends run around in a field, while red tailed hawks circled above.
“That experience emphasized to me that the lines I draw between ourselves and the world around us may not be so rigid as I once thought,” Norman said.