Art on the street: Inaugural Gallery Without Walls exhibits works by well-known sculptor
Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006
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Odds are most Fayettevillians are well acquainted with at least one of Hank Kaminsky’s sculptures. Through Sept. 9, they’ll have the chance to get to know five more.
Works by the local sculptor will be temporarily displayed in various downtown Fayetteville locations in the inaugural Gallery Without Walls exhibit, a public art program spearheaded by Kaminsky and supported by Fayetteville Downtown Partners in their efforts to establish a cultural arts district.
The show opens tonight with simultaneous receptions at all five sites at 6:30 p.m. Kaminsky will lead a bus tour to the sites — the Fayetteville Town Center, the Arvest Plaza on the Square, the Walton Arts Center’s West Avenue Garden, the Meditation Garden at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and the Fayetteville Public Library — and attendees can take a quiz based on the sculptures. Those answering all five questions correctly will be entered into a drawing to win an original clay sculpture used to create the World Peace Prayer Fountain and valued at $1,200.
The works, which are from Kaminksy’s “Pages from the Book of the Earth” series, were previously on display at the Shidoni Gallery in Santa Fe, N.M.
“Every artist dreams about a time when they can go into the studio and do whatever they want,” Kaminsky said. “One year, I had everything I needed — all the equipment, materials and help — and I created these works. … It’s very important for a professional artist to sell, but sometimes the things that sell aren’t the closest to your dreams. That’s the opportunity I had with these pieces.”
This is the first time the works will be “put in [local] places where they will be seen in the right context,” he said. All of the works save one were conceived to populate wide open spaces, he said. The exception, “Jerusalem’s Pulpit,” which is part of Kaminsky’s manhole cover series, will occupy a much more intimate setting at St. Paul’s.
Kaminsky said the event resulted from the growth of the Fayetteville Arts Festival and years of discussion about public art among local artists, library officials and Fayetteville Downtown Partners. The concept has worked well elsewhere, Kaminsky said, citing yearlong exhibits of public art in Little Rock and Hot Springs.
“Public art brings you into a connection with the space you occupy,” Kaminsky said. “If you have a city with all these buildings lined up, it’s boring. With art on the street, life is interesting.”
Although Fayetteville’s public art scene is taking a while to develop, Kaminsky said, the city houses some wonderful works of art and architecture such as the Wilson Park castle and the old courthouse.
“Fayetteville appreciates looking good,” he said.
He also credits Downtown Partners with helping to bolster the local arts scene.
“Fayetteville Downtown Partners sparks conversation about cultural aspects,” he said. “They’re the flame to ignite other people’s passions, and they’re tireless.”
Organizers hope to make Gallery Without Walls a recurring event that will display works by other artists for about a month or so.
GALLERY WITHOUT WALLS: HANK KAMINSKY
When: through Sept. 9
Where: various locations in downtown Fayetteville
* Opening receptions will take place at each location at 6:30 p.m. today. Kaminsky will lead a bus tour of all five sites, and attendees can take a quiz for a chance to win one of the original clay sculptures used to create the World Peace Prayer Fountain.
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