Photography by Kam Bradley
greenspace bench
By Matt Amante
Painted Steel, Soil, and Tree
50" x 74" x 30"
location:
222 Hay St (Click to view map)
Landmark: Cool Springs Downtown District Office
About the Art:
This work was intended to be a functional object and a sculptural object. The 7 foot long structure can be sat on as a bench, its vessel holds soil and a plant, and it walks the line between planter/ bench/ and sculpture.
Artist Bio:
I was born and raised in Michigan and remained in the state until I graduated from Western Michigan University in 2004. After college I took a job teaching art at a high school in South Carolina and stayed there for 2.5 years. While teaching, I decided that I wanted to complete my MFA in Sculpture, and that is what brought me to North Carolina. I finished my MFA in Sculpture at East Carolina University in 2010 and currently I teach at Pitt Community College. I live in Winterville with my wife, son, and dog, and work out of studio at home.
I try to work with a large range of materials and scale, but I do focus a lot of my energy on public art. My outdoor work has been included in public venues more than 100 times across North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, Michigan, Ohio, and Mississippi. Most of my ideas are influence by nature and eastern philosophy and I blend these ideas with formalist practices. More work can be viewed at www.mattamante.com
Photography by Kam Bradley
don quixote
By Jonathan Bowling
Steel and Wood
12" x 15" x 10"
location:
301 Hay St (Click to view map)
Landmark: The Arts Center/Arts Council Building
About the Art:
For the past 12 years I have been focused on public art, largely farm animals. These pieces are made with the intention of staying outdoors in a public area without the need for extensive maintenance. The materials I use are often from the turn of the last century, which I feel is appropriate for depicting animals so intertwined with our agrarian past. Repurposed steel provides a sound structure which allows me to work on a scale that lends itself to public spaces.
Artist Bio:
I grew up on a small farm in Kentucky, where the Appalachian Mountains melt into the rolling hills of the Bluegrass. My first sculptural efforts were the simple childhood games--fieldstone castles, a bridle of hay twine, a driftwood armada. As a teenager in the late eighties I lived in Belgium, where I had access to the museums of Western Europe. On my return to the states I attended the University of Kentucky where I received my BFA in sculpture and a BA in art history. In 1996 I moved to Greenville, North Carolina, to pursue an MFA in sculpture at East Carolina University in 1999. I have been working out of my Greenville studio ever since. I have showed extensively inthe Eastern United States, which has resulted in a number of long term lease agreements and sales to municipalities and private collectors.
Wonder
By Abigail Cochran
Fabricated steel
10’ x 5’ x 4’
location:
301 Bragg Blvd (Click to view map)
Landmark: Near Park View Apartments
About the Art:
In much of my work I've attempted to capture both the spontaneity and order found in nature through the use of organic or "natural" subject matter. Many of my pieces are inspired by the unexpected yet somewhat predictable patterns and forms found in living organisms. I have enjoyed exploring the complexities and sometimes otherworldly visual elements found within even the smallest of living organisms, and aim to create from that inspiration. This likely stems from many years spent working in the garden, and my lifelong love of gardening as a means of therapeutic escape. I am interested in making art that not only brings joy and inspires the viewer, but also causes them to ponder the beauty of life and creation. I make art for the enjoyment of the viewer, as well as to satisfy my own curiosity. Hopefully this fabricated steel sculpture called “Wonder” is able to both instill a sense of wonder, and bring joy to those who experience it.
Artist Bio:
Abigail Law is a visual artist and full time high school ART teacher in the Hampton Roads, Virginia area. Abby's focus is on sculpture made mostly of fabricated steel, cast aluminum and iron that challenges the traditional uses of
metals with unexpected and whimsical subject matter. A graduate of the East Carolina University School of Art and Design in Greenville, NC, Abigail continues to work on further developing the skills and personal aesthetic she
began at ECU.
Photo Provided by Artist
Photography by Kam Bradley
Neutron Star 2
By Hanna Jubran
Steel and paint
21’ x 54" x 54"
location:
325 Green Street (Click to view map)
Landmark: Brady, Brady, Delaney, Young PA
About the Art:
Neutron Star is a sculpture depicting a neutron star and the elements of the galaxies and solar system. Neutron stars are formed when large stars run out of fuel and collapse. To get a neutron star, you need to have star that’s larger than about 1.5 solar masses and less than 5 times the mass of the Sun.
Artist Bio:
Hanna Jubran received his M.F.A. in Sculpture from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and is currently a Sculpture Professor at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina. Hanna’s work addresses the concepts of time, movement, balance and space. Each sculpture occupies and creates its own reality influenced by its immediate surroundings. The work does not rely on one media to evoke the intended response, but takes advantage of compatible materials such as wood, granite, steel, stainless steel, iron and bronze. Hanna regularly participates in International art shows, competitions and symposiums. Some of his most recent activities are: The creation of “A Monument to a Century of Flight” in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina; The International Sculpture Biennale, Chaco, Argentina; The Elements of the Earth Symposium at Pedvale Sculpture Park, Sabile, Latvia, The International Wood carving Symposium, St. Blasien, Germany; The International Sculpture Symposium in Pirkkala, Finland; Tultepec, Mexico Monumental Sculpture Symposium; The international sculpture symposiums in: Jish, Israel; Ma’llot, Israel; Cayo Largo, Cuba; Granby, Canada; Kemijarvi, Finland; The international Sculpture Symposium and Conference in Europas Parkas, Vilnius, Lithuania and The Toyamura International Sculpture Biennial at Toyamura Japan-where he received semi-grand prize. Every symposium Hanna participates in, the sculpture created is retained as part of the town or organizations permanent collection. Hanna is consistent in his pursuit of creating enjoyable sculptures for private and corporate collections.
The nature of my goals for art is to reflect my own aesthetic views, concepts and sincerity of expression. My journey began when I left my hometown of Jish, in 1967. My vision, goal and dream is to become an active voice out of this relatively invisible place. Therefore, there is no choice but to continue my intended journey and to give to my community in the East and West a feeling of accomplishment and pride. I am emotionally motivated to be creative and a contributor to humanity. For me sculpture and research is an opportunity I cannot ignore.
H2O Bonded
By Hanna Jubran
Steel & Paint
10’ x 4’ x 40"
location:
335 Ray Ave (Click to view map)
Landmark: Festival Park
About the Art:
H2O Bonded is representational of chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen to make water
Artist Bio:
Hanna Jubran received his M.F.A. in Sculpture from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and is currently a Sculpture Professor at East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina. Hanna’s work addresses the concepts of time, movement, balance and space. Each sculpture occupies and creates its own reality influenced by its immediate surroundings. The work does not rely on one media to evoke the intended response, but takes advantage of compatible materials such as wood, granite, steel, stainless steel, iron and bronze. Hanna regularly participates in International art shows, competitions and symposiums. Some of his most recent activities are: The creation of “A Monument to a Century of Flight” in Kitty Hawk, North Carolina; The International Sculpture Biennale, Chaco, Argentina; The Elements of the Earth Symposium at Pedvale Sculpture Park, Sabile, Latvia, The International Wood carving Symposium, St. Blasien, Germany; The International Sculpture Symposium in Pirkkala, Finland; Tultepec, Mexico Monumental Sculpture Symposium; The international sculpture symposiums in: Jish, Israel; Ma’llot, Israel; Cayo Largo, Cuba; Granby, Canada; Kemijarvi, Finland; The international Sculpture Symposium and Conference in Europas Parkas, Vilnius, Lithuania and The Toyamura International Sculpture Biennial at Toyamura Japan-where he received semi-grand prize. Every symposium Hanna participates in, the sculpture created is retained as part of the town or organizations permanent collection. Hanna is consistent in his pursuit of creating enjoyable sculptures for private and corporate collections.
The nature of my goals for art is to reflect my own aesthetic views, concepts and sincerity of expression. My journey began when I left my hometown of Jish, in 1967. My vision, goal and dream is to become an active voice out of this relatively invisible place. Therefore, there is no choice but to continue my intended journey and to give to my community in the East and West a feeling of accomplishment and pride. I am emotionally motivated to be creative and a contributor to humanity. For me sculpture and research is an opportunity I cannot ignore.
Photo Provided by Artist
Photography by Kam Bradley
Gothic Doorway
By beau lyday
Rusted Tin Roofing and Wood
104" x 56" x 14"
location:
318 Hay St (Click to view map)
Landmark: Intersection of Hay St and Old St
About the Art:
Gothic Doorway is made out of wood and aged roofing. This material is unique with a patina created by time and weather that cannot be replicated using modern methods. I followed 800 year old formulas to create the proportions and circumfoes to preproduce an authentic gothic arch door.
Artist Bio:
Beau Lyday was born in Athens, GA and currently lives in Valdese, NC. His current works is in rusted tin and wood sculpture. He was awarded a regional artist grant from the North Carolina Arts Council in 2013.
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He has been selected to exhibit at Arts Field in Lake City, SC 2013, 2015-2023
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Finalist in North Charleston National Outdoor Competition & Exhibition 2018, 2021. Awarded best in show in 2021
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Was awarded third place in the 33rd Rosen National Outdoor Competition & Exhibition. Finalist Rosen 2019 and 2023 received Juror’s Merit Award
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He was awarded best in show in 2017 & 2018 at the Lenoir Sculpture Celebration. Judge’s merit award 2019, 2021, third place 2022, Judge’s merit award 2023
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Awarded first place at the Chetola Art Walk 2019
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ASU art corridor finalist 2022 Will the Circle Be Unbroken
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UNCA finalist Art IN the Round School of Art and Art History Everlasting Arms
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Lotus Blossom Chetola Main St Blowing
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Leased works in Goldsboro, NC and Van Wyke, SC, Bascom Museum, Highlands NC, University of North Carolina Ashville School of Art. Rosen Sculpture Competition, ASU Arts corridor
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Southminster Retirement Community Firelight
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Moore Botanical Gardens Quatrefoil & Gothic Portal
Beau’s works are in several private collections. He is represented by Bill Brown owner of Anvil Sculpture Gardens in Linville, NC
Photography by Kam Bradley
Chautauqua Summer
By Kevin Lyles
Stainless Steel, Stone
7’ x 1’ x 5"
location:
201 Hay St (Click to view map)
Landmark: Adams Burge & Boughman
About the Art:
“Chautauqua Summer" was originally created for an exhibit at the Chautauqua Institute in Chautauqua, New York. It is 6' tall and is made from layers of stainless steel and river stone. It communicates the idea of the importance of nature in our lives.
Artist Bio:
My work is molded by a myriad of influences. Time and again I am inspired by things I see in nature. Frequently inherent in nature are patterns, contrasts, textures, and contradictions. Earth’s flora, fauna, geology, landscapes, or other natural occurrences will often find their way into my art. When creating sculpture, I combine these with the elements and principles of design to create work that both interests and challenges me.
The sculpture I make can be either representational or non-representational. But even when it relates to something in the actual world, it is usually abstracted quite severely. Working in a variety of media seems to hold a special attraction and I am apt to utilize materials that are found from quarries, steelyards, and foundries. Much of my sculpture is smaller tabletop scale and my larger pieces are in parks, sculpture gardens, or buildings across the nation.
Photography by Kam Bradley
Composition #1
By chris plaisted
http://cfplaistedsculpture.com
Steel
8’ x 9’ x 6’
location:
433 Hay St (Click to view map)
Landmark: City Hall
About the Art:
Composition #1 is part of a large-scale series of sculptures representing the yin and the yang. The pieces were inspired by a series of four maquettes I created about a year ago. They are composed of poured concrete and steel. Of course, if these were concrete and full-sized, they would be too heavy to transport efficiently. So, I have redesigned the design to use negative space as a replacement, which also opens them up for the wind and sun to interact.
Artist Bio:
Chris Plaisted has been creating monumental sculpture for almost a decade. His sculptures juxtapose the elements of steel, copper, wood, concrete, and other metals. He draws inspiration from people, places, bridges, ships, architecture, and various mythological and historical elements. His work has been purchased for fine homes through out the world and has appeared in dozens of local galleries, and several large-scale outdoor shows throughout the United States. It is primarily abstract, but often includes figurative elements that tend to focus on forms of conflict. Chris also maintains a 20-year career as a graphic designer, continuing his true passion for painting and sculpture as well. He currently resides with a studio and workshop in New Milford, CT with his wife, two children, and Leonidas the bearded dragon. [READ MORE]
"Out All Night"
By Paul Saviskas
Stainless Steel, aluminum, concrete
97" x 41" x 29"
location:
345 Hay St (Click to view map)
Landmark: Intersection of Hay St and Ray Ave
About the Art:
Out All Night is a stainless steel, aluminum, concrete and epoxy sculpture with dimensions 97"x41"x29". The pedestal of the sculpture is a tree trunk with an epoxy base depicting a root system that anchors the tree. Out All Night depicts a day in the life of an owl family. Mother owl and her two hungry owlets eagerly await the return of father owl. Alas to their dismay, there is nothing in his talons. The scolding looks on the mother says it all. Nature must also roll with the punches of life.
Artist Bio:
I have always been drawn to nature and wildlife, science, and history, discovering both inspiration and tranquility in the gentle balance of life in all its art forms. My art has evolved into mastering the skill of transforming a flat sheet of metal, hammered, twisted, and molded to capture and create an artistic narrative. My newest sculpture pieces are a blend of semi-representational and expressionistic art forms using multiple art mediums. I was introduced to the importance of public art in perpetuating enjoyment and culture within communities through an alliance with the Hawaii State Foundation of culture and the Arts. My proposals were accepted for the purchase of permanent public outdoor sculptures with attention to cultural values, diversity, physical placement, conceptualization, and material. This involved collaboration with city officials, landscape architects and engineers to meet timelines and budget parameters. Most of my commissioned stainless-steel sculptures are permanently installed in widely photographed areas on the island of Oahu, including the Honolulu Zoo, Waikiki Bandstand, Chinatown, Hanauma Bay State Park. An interest in working with students and teachers in utilizing sculpture as a bridge for learning led to participation in the Artists as Educators program in Hawaii, a yearlong collaborative effort with students, teachers and the community in the design and completion of a stainless-steel sculpture for the school grounds. A current project is ongoing with the art teacher and students at a local high school in Florida with the design and creation of a sister-city sculpture for the city of Inverness in Scotland, reflecting the history and values of both communities. Students are empowered to be “Ambassadors of culture and art”. The sculpture will be gifted to the City of Inverness, Scotland in the fall of 2024. All Saviskas sculptures are original works of art and single editions. Sculptures installed in public places are salt, rust and acid resistant, able to withstand the elements of nature, weather conditions and wind load requirements. Virtually maintenance free and resistant to UV damage.
Photography by Kam Bradley
Photography by Kam Bradley
LOUD!
By Vanek Vanek
Welded Steel, Cast Iron
63" x 35" x 66"
location:
100 Hay St (Click to view map)
Landmark: Marketsquare Loop and the Self Help Building
About the Art:
This work is meant to be a fun/funny attention grabber while also being a literal mouthpiece for the unheard. LGBTQIA+ community, Black and Brown folks across the nation, fem’s in male dominated spaces, poor people, disabled individuals, and any other disenfranchised or marginalized voice.
They all have things to say, and we all need to hear them, scream it out loud! LOUD AND PROUD!
This work was created as part of the Iron Light Residency at Western North Carolina Sculpture Center.
Artist Bio:
With their studio art practice, Kevin strives to reimagine their labor class heritage into forms that celebrate the history & function of industrial practices into fine art objects. Balancing an attention to detail and technical mastery while maintaining a humorous creativity allows them to create tongue-in-cheek sculptures that viewers can relate to and take in the larger message of the works more clearly. Kevin’s mastery of material allows them to harmonize traditional materials, contemporary processes, and topical social statements into modern day sculptural relics.
I have been passionate about making sculptures for the outdoor audience for years. Starting in my undergraduate university, and eventually my grad school where I focused in outdoor sculpture. I saw the opportunity to work in a scale that would challenge me creatively and technically, as well as a way to get my work seen by “everyday” people, or the non-gallery audience. Many of my outdoor work show my passion for blue collar and labor class ideas, these same groups of people are not often gallery connoisseurs. Instead of changing my work to fit the gallery audience, I figured I would put my work in their line of sight.
Miseria Justorum
By Bilhenry Walker
Powdercoat Aluminum
15.5’ x 11’ x 8’
location:
510 Durham St (Click to view map)
Landmark: Intersection of Murchison Rd and Durham St
About the Art:
Miserie Justorum stands 15.5' tall and was fabricated from aluminum plate. It could be considered a line-drawing in space or as an armature for a sculpture which reveals the bones of which it is made.
The concept of “Miserie Justorum” or “Misery of the Just Ones” memorializes all who have suffered for the cause of justice and were martyred by the political powers of the day. This list is long and includes names like Mahatma Gandi, Jesus of Nazareth, Martin Luther King Jr., Bonhoffer, and many other Jewish and Muslim reformer/prophets. These were people who took the risk to speak out against injustice and wound up being crushed under that same wheel.
As humans we all experience in some measure the unfairness of life. We all bear the scars of rejection, betrayal, failure and lost hope which become the burdens we carry with us. In many cases these burdens are not our fault, but we are required to soldier on, making the best of our circumstances. It is at this moment that we understand and empathize with the heroic figures who have gone before who have given their lives for our ultimate well-being. We come to re-understand the thread of survival we share with them and of the deep connection we all share with each another.
Artist Bio:
Bilhenry Walker began making art in 1968 in Pasadena California after graduating from Fuller Theological Seminary and moved to Milwaukee in 1972. While in Pasadena he worked at the Pasadena Art Museum and came under the influence of the new Art and Technology movement headed by Robert Irwin, James Turrell, Robert McCracken and Billy Bengston. Many of their experimental techniques found their way into his work including light as a plastic medium, surface polish, and polyester resin. When Walker moved to Milwaukee in 1972 he rented his first studio in the Beer Brewery in Cedarburg and has continued working as a sculptor to the present. He developed his artistic sensibility through building acrylic sculptures in the seventies, casting monumental polyester resin sculptures throughout the eighties, and fabricating aluminum monumental sculptures to the present. Over the last seven years Walker made a huge shift in his work by developing a series of biologically inspired pieces based on the shapes of predators (parasites, viruses and bacteria) and their cellular targets (dendrites, nerve endings, sinews, etc). By utilizing these basic organic shapes he has been able to to explore the previously hidden shapes of the microscopic world. Walker's most recent series sculptural maquettes has broken new ground by developing his work under the heading of “Neo-futurism”. This work is biomorphic and emphasizes torque and movement with futuristic lighting sequences.
Photography by Kam Bradley
Photography by Kam Bradley
LadyDi
By Joni Younkins-Herzog
https://www.joniyounkinsherzog.com
Steel, epoxy paint
6.6’ x 8’ x 4.2’
location:
117 Dick St(Click to view map)
Landmark: Cumberland County Courthouse
About the Art:
An abstracted flower using blue and red as opposite spectrum colors that insects can see. These colors are also part of flames and indicate different temperatures. the pose is an uplifting energetic one that plays with the geometry of a single element becoming 3 separate parts.
Artist Bio:
Joni Younkins-Herzog is a full-time sculptor with a studio in Athens, GA. Her works are exhibited nationally and internationally with permanent pieces in Ghana, Peru and Poland in addition to public commissions in Athens and Atlanta. She completed her MFA in Sculpture at Indiana University/Bloomington in 2007 and BFA at UGA. Working in many materials, several projects have been completed using upcycled materials including this “Butterfly MandaLa.” This piece utilized the “drops” from several Luna Moth benches and incorporated lovely steel discs collected from local metal fabrication facility, Dye Sheet Metal.
"I am a sculptor in Athens, Georgia with a Masters of Fine Arts/Sculpture from Indiana University"
and undergraduate studies at UGA. My work is shown throughout the United States; including New York, Fort Lauderdale, San Francisco, the “Art Prize” in Grand Rapids, Michigan and abroad in Italy, Columbia, Peru, Poland, and Ghana, Africa. . My sculptures are hybrids, mythologies, and metaphors about flowers. The works range widely in scale from small wearable pieces to large sculptures and installations in many mediums. “My search for beauty and purpose manifests into forms that abstract femininity and vitality. My works show curiosity about science, botany and architecture.
"Joni Younkins-Herzog is a former professor at the State College of Florida,"
"New College and Ringling School of Art and Design.
Statement of Interest:
I have 2 steel pieces I would like to submit for consideration. “Aerial” is made of steel and has a rust patina with linseed oil finish. “LadyDi” is also steel with epoxy paint. Both are homages to the abstracted female “Barbie’ leg, one is more of a stop motion animation of a gymnastic move and feeling of a cartwheel. “LadyDi” is a floral recombination inspired by Florida plantlife and hero worship of Lady Diana.
Artsquest can facilitate discussion about feminine perspective in a male dominated field; feminism; beauty and the use of technology in the field of sculpture. I would be happy to engage your audience with a demo/discussion about model making, wearable metal art and/or ceramics.
curation
& jurors
photography & documentation
Arts Council Staff
& Arts Council Public Art Committee
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Kam Bradley - Fly Guy Media
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