Ottawa Hills: Sculpture returns to entrance of village
4/27/2005There will be arches, cubes, abstract forms, and a long, flat fish this year at the western entrance to Ottawa Hills.
In its second annual display of colorful sculptures, a village committee has chosen the works of sculptors from Illinois, Michigan, Ohio. and Pennsylvania for this year's project.
Last year was the first time sculptures were installed on the site and Peggy Grant, an art consultant, said it was so well received that a group of residents decided to do it again.
The original exhibition had six sculptures on display, but that will be expanded this year to 10, according to Ms. Grant.
Ms. Grant said the exhibit will show a variety of styles including cubist, figurative, and abstract works.
The formal opening will be June 1, Ms. Grant said, but installation of some the pieces is expected to take place May 12 and 13.
The pieces are large enough that if they are set properly they should be stable through the display.
She added that there were no problems with the pieces displayed last year.
One is now permanently on display and another was purchased as a memorial to former mayor Jean Youngen. The late Mrs. Youngen was instrumental in getting the first sculpture display organized last year.
Ms. Grant said that sculpture is to be moved to a small island at Central Avenue and Indian Road.
Marc Thompson, village administrator, said officials are looking at that proposed site to be certain the sculpture won't interfere with the line of site of motorists turning at the intersection.
Members of the Ottawa Hills community are being contacted, Ms. Grant said, to help pay for the display, located northwest of the intersection of Bancroft Street and Secor Road, southwest of Indian.
The sculptures will be on display into October so youngsters will be able to tour the exhibit after the next school year begins.