The words “museum” and “art” can unfortunately conjure up some cold images. Ancient objects are arranged under glass or hung wired into security alarms. Stern faced security guards hover. Food and drink are verboten. Please refrain from speaking at full volume, and mind your hands.
But at the River Market pavilions later this month, art will be all about cutting loose and helping Little Rock up its “livability” quotient.
Sculpture at the River Market is noisy. It’s hands-on. The eating of ice cream and drinking of cocktails are encouraged. And for the second year in a row, there’s Bronze & Brewskis - a party aimed specifically at young people.
“It’s not stuffy,” says Bronze & Brewskis co-chairman Luis Gonzalez. “It’s an art theme but it’s fun.”
The prim image is one Sculpture at the River Market is trying to combat with a weekend of art and a celebration targeted at young Arkansans who love and support this community.
The Sculpture at the River Market Committee began in 2007. Its goal was to bring the work of top sculptors to bear on the area roughly from what is now the Little Rock Marriott to the Clinton Presidential Center. There are now more than 60 pieces in what Gonzalez calls “a corridor of art.”
Thirty of those pieces are in the Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden. There, tucked in among trees and flowers overlooking the Arkansas River just east of the Marriott, one can wander among dancing figures, bumping bunnies and an array of pieces whimsical and abstract.
Yet it’s not something that draws a lot of attention. Event co-chairman Caroline Puddephatt admits that before joining the committee, she had never even seen the park. “I was blown away that this public art was here and accessible to … visitors to come and enjoy.”
There will be more than 10 times that much art in the River Market District during the Sculpture at the River Market event, April 25-27, in which about 50 artists from all over the country will display more than 800 of their works in the River Market pavilions in a show and sale intended to draw attention to the garden.
In previous years, the weekend celebration was held in the fall. However, because autumn had more scheduling conflicts for participating artists, and because the park and garden are at their best and prettiest in the spring, the decision was made to make a switch to April.
It starts with the Preview Party at 6:30 p.m. April 25, where guests can enjoy a buffet provided by Copper Grill and listen to music by Dizzy 7 as they browse through the vendor stalls and examine pieces starting at $100 and ending in the five figures.
As in past years, there will be a contest in which guests will be able to vote for a$60,000 commissioned sculpture for the park. Last year’s winner was artist and University of Central Arkansas professor Bryan Massey.
Then, at 8:30 p.m., the vibe will start to shift as Bronze & Brewskis takes over. The buffet will switch to finger foods like chicken tenders and mac and-cheese balls, the cocktails will give way to wine and beer and the band That Arkansas Weather will take the stage.
Bronze & Brewskis began at the last Sculpture at the River Market event in October 2012 as a “young professional after-party.”
The ticket price drops to $30 in advance, $35 at the door. Participating artists have been specifically asked to bring pieces with lower costs and, Gonzalez points out, they’ve been happy to do so.
“They’ve said, even though they do shows all over the country, this one in Little Rock is unique because it reaches out to young people.”
Not only are patrons encouraged to eat and drink and listen to music, they’re also encouraged to visit with the artists, who will be there, putting a human face and feelings behind the sculptures.
“People can engage with the artists and talk to them about their work and ask questions about their vision and motivation in a party setting,” Puddephatt explains.
Even the ice cream will be artistic. Loblolly Creamery has created three new art-theme flavors particularly for Bronze & Brewskis.
It’s not the organizers’ goal to scare off the older patrons, though. “We don’t just want them to leave,” Puddephatt says.
And they don’t. At the last event, Preview Party patrons just ended up staying longer.
“That’s my favorite part,” Puddephatt says. “They flow into each other. It’s intergenerational.”
The activities will continue through the rest of the weekend, when admission to the show and sale is free. April 26 will include $20 Segway tours of the garden, and on April 27, families with children are particularly urged to visit when there will be local food trucks on hand.
Funds raised from the parties go toward acquiring new sculptures, as well as upkeep, docent tours and school programs.
Gonzalez says, “I feel like a lot of times, the arts struggle to get attention,” but, Puddephatt continues, “in order to be a great city, you need great art.
“People use it as an escape. It makes a city more livable,” she says.
“A city with public art thinks and feels,” he says.
Sculpture at the River Market events all take place in the River Market pavilions. The Preview Party is $100. Bronze & Brewskis starts at 8:30 p.m. and tickets are $30 in advance, $35 at the door. The show and sale continues 9 a.m.-5 p.m.April 26 and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. April 27. Call (501) 664-1919 or visit sculptureattherivermarket.com.
High Profile, Pages 41 on 04/13/2014