LITTLE ROCK — Fruit and vegetable buyers perusing downtown Little Rock's River Market pavilion on Saturday found wood, bronze and stone offerings in place of fresh produce.
The inaugural Sculpture at the River Market Show and Sale set up shop at the pavilion, where market shoppers, art enthusiasts and loyal Razorbacks fans, who stopped off at the River Market for a pre-game drink, strolled slowly between the black drapes dividing each artist's sculptures.
The browsers stopped when a piece caught their eye, often talking to the artists, most of whom sat by their items, answering questions.
"I enjoy art and am glad to seethe city bringing artists in," said Carter Jenkins of Little Rock as he pushed his daughter's stroller down rows of exhibits. "I don't think anyone realizes the talent we have right here in the state. I wish my pockets were deep enough to buy some of these pieces."
Thirty-eight sculptors from across the country - thoughmostly from Arkansas and Colorado - and several students from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and the University of Central Arkansas had originally planned on putting about 400 pieces on sale but ended up displaying nearly 800 items, valued at about $4 million.
Artists from New Mexico, California, Missouri, Florida, Washington, Wyoming, Wisconsin and Illinois also had pieces on display at the event.
The sculptures - some were so small they could fit in the palm of one's hand, and others so large they had to be lowered by a crane - ranged in price from $150 to $90,000.
Sponsored by the city and theNational Sculptors' Guild based in Loveland, Colo., the sale is intended to help raise money for the upkeep of Riverfront Park. About 23 percent of the proceeds will go to the Riverfront Park Conservancy, which raises money to maintain and improve the park, At-large City Director Dean Kumpuris said.
Kumpuris, who helped spearhead the event, said he hopes the sale will generate interest in bringing more public art to Little Rock.
It was no coincidence that Saturday's sale coincided with the farmer's market and the Razorbacks game, which was playedat War Memorial Stadium. Event planners anticipated large crowds in the River Market on Saturday.
"We have to have a successful show so artists want to come back," said John Kinkade, executive director of the National Sculptors' Guild, who was at the show.
The guild has committed to sponsoring the event for two more years, while the city learns the ins and outs of planning the sculpture show.
"It takes about three years to get a show on its feet," Kinkade said.
The farmer's market, which was moved into Riverfront Park, just north of the pavilion, will be back in its usual location next Saturday.
The sculptures will be on sale again today from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Arkansas, Pages 19, 21 on 10/07/2007