The first step was to plant a community garden. Soil was tilled. Tomatoes, squash, beans, corn, herbs and flowers were sown, harvested and sold. Soon the garden became a focus for neighbors to gather to chat while admiring the fruits of their labors.
For Nikki Blair, an assistant professor in the UNCG department of art and a Glenwood resident, the community garden was missing one vital thing — artwork.
Along with Glenwood resident Early Scarbrough, Blair launched a plan to bring sculpture to the garden. Twelve UNCG art students enrolled in advanced level sculpture courses, under the direction of sculpture professor Billy Lee, teamed up with members of the Glenwood neighborhood to created a sculpture park.
“The idea was ‘let's do this for the neighborhood,’” says Scarbrough.
Eleven sculptures were installed. They range from the whimsical — a jumble of truck tires, to the practical — a green steel composter. David Smith, a senior design major, created “Untitled Sculpture 1,” a fire engine red, steel installation that flanks the garden. “It's supposed to be bright and bring attention to the neighborhood,” says Smith of his 500-pound creation which took him two and a half months to make. “We're hoping this will pull the neighborhood together.”
Creating a strong, all-seasons focal point for the Glenwood neighborhood was one of the driving forces behind the sculpture garden, says Blair. “There are a lot of artists that live in this neighborhood. They appreciate having art right in their own backyard. It makes it a better neighborhood.”
On the day of the sculpture park's dedication in late January, residents gathered to drink coffee around a roaring fire lit in the steel, adobe and concrete barbecue pit created by students Kyle Thompson, Danielle Hazen and Chris Peepers.
Nearby, Craig Johnson, a senior arts and design major explained his contribution, a series of boxes on metal stilts. “You can jump on it, stand on it or pose on it,” says Johnson, who hopes that children will play on his creation. “I was thinking of community and the positive way it's done by people coming together,” say Johnson.
In the coming months, more art installations are planned for other parts of the Glenwood neighborhood. “Students got a really professional experience putting this installation together,” says Blair. “They developed a huge sense of community. They really came together to make this work.”
The sculpture garden in the Glenwood Community Garden is open to the public. To see all of the sculptures and to learn more about the project visit digital.uncg.edu/glenwood.
Photo: UNCG art professor Billy Lee (in black T-shirt) and student David Smith installed David's work, “Untitled Sculpture 1.”
By Jill Yesko, University Relations
Photography by Becky Kates, University Relations
