Outdoor art show 'Sculptures in the Dell' opens in Crestwood
Outdoor art show featre
Sculptures dotted the pathways leading through the beautiful foliage of Yew Dell Gardens Friday evening.
Some small, others massive, some were semi-hidden while others were boldly placed for spectators to fawn over at Yew Dell’s fourth annual sculpture show.
May 20 marked a celebrated opening night, but viewing opportunities continue now through July 31.
Three Oldham County high schools are represented with sculptures made by students as well as 19 individual artists.
Among the spectators on opening night were La Grange residents Becky and Jim Smith, who came in support of their son, artist Todd Smith.
A graduate of Amherst College, Todd Smith showcases three sculptures positioned on tree branches.
The sculptures, cast from his own body, are made out of tape, cellophane, fiberglass cloth and resin. The human moldings also sport slits along the backs to resemble cicadas.
Smith considers himself a conceptual artist and has spent the past nine years creating art that revolves around tree-climbing.
“People have a common connection when it comes to trees and I feel that it should be enhanced,” said Smith. “That’s what I try to do with my art.”
Smith said that he learned about the Yew Dell Botanical Gardens sculpture show online, while browsing the website.
“I saw a call for proposals, sent over images of my work, and a jury selected me to be here today. I’m honored,” he said.
Each of the 41 sculptures is offered for sale, and Smith is asking $8,500 per human cicada.
Other sculpture prices range from $100 to $26,000.
With so many sculptures, various types of materials were utilized in the creation process, including limestone, fiberglass cloth, cast bronze, vinyl coated polyester, hand blown glass, steel, and forged iron, among others.
Susan Martin, a first-time visitor to Yew Dell Gardens, was impressed with what she saw.
“My son told me about the event and said I should come because I love gardening. I’m from Bullitt County and somehow or another I’d never heard of Yew Dell before. It’s just gorgeous out here,” she said. “I plan to come back.”
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