HomeMy Public PortalAboutTOL PR 2017-03-23 ArtsPARKs voting
Town of Leesburg
News Release
For Immediate Release
March 23, 2017
Media Contact:
Betsy Arnett, Public Information Officer
barnett@leesburgva.gov 703-771-2734
Vote for Your Favorite Art sPARKs Sculpture!
The Friends of Leesburg Public Art will present the People’s Choice Best
Sculpture Award at the 2017 Flower & Garden Festival.
Leesburg, VA (March 23, 2017) – The new
trail winding through Raflo Park in Leesburg
has been home to five modern steel
sculptures for the past year. This project,
Art sPARKs, was created by the Leesburg
Commission on Public Art in collaboration
with The Friends of Leesburg Publics Arts
(FOLPA). The current collection of
sculptures will remain on display for one
more year and are available for sale to art
patrons before a new round of sculptures
will be installed in 2018.
Residents are invited to tour the exhibit and
vote for their favorites in the People’s
Choice Award. The Friends of Leesburg
Public Arts will announce the winner at the
Leesburg Flower & Garden Show in
downtown Leesburg on April 22, 2017.
The exhibit is installed along the trail that runs through Ralfo Park on the west side of Harrison
Street, across from the Crescent Place development and south of the W&OD Trail. Coming into
the park from the W&OD Trail, the first sculpture is “Sproutman” by Brian D. Kirk which
portrays the appearance of a growing plant ripe with fruit. The next piece, “Unity”, by the same
artist, unites sweeping circular shapes drawing the viewer's eye upward. Peter Wood's
sculpture, “The Artist”, is just across the walkway. This work makes use of the light and natural
setting through patterns cut into the form. “Trail Blazer”, also by Wood, invokes the essence of
motion inspiring viewers to continue their journey. Finally, at the other end of the park is
“Birdhouse #6” by Michael M. Clay. This work explores the dichotomy between nature and
architecture. The five steel sculptures were chosen by a jury of art professionals in 2015.
All of the sculptures are available for purchase. Twenty percent of the proceeds from the sales
will be invested in the Art sPARKs program, paving the way for new artists to exhibit their work
in subsequent years.
To vote for the People's Choice Best Sculpture Award , or for more information about
purchasing one of the sculptures, visit www.artsPARKsLeesburg.info. The deadline for voting is
April 20, 2017.
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