Downtown Warsaw will come alive next summer with life-size bronze sculptures. The Lakeland Art Association is partnering with the City of Warsaw to bring a collection of Seward Johnson sculptures to the community from June through September 2014. All the sculptures for the public art exhibit, titled “Walk-n-Wander Warsaw,” will be located within walking distance of Warsaw’s Courthouse Square to form an “outdoor urban gallery.” American sculptor Seward Johnson’s (www.sewardjohnson.com) early artistic efforts focused on painting, after which he turned to sculpture in 1968. Many of his life-size cast bronze, painted figures portray people engaged in everyday activities. More than 250 of his figures have since been featured in private collections and museums, as well as periodic public placements around the world. Businesses, families, and individuals are invited to be part of this event designed to engage local residents and visitors. The number of sculptures displayed in Downtown Warsaw will depend on the success of fundraising efforts. The committee currently has sponsors for seven sculptures with a goal of 20. Having been the first to commit to personally sponsor a sculpture, Kosciusko County Community Foundation Executive Director Suzie Light stated in the City of Warsaw’s release on the exhibit, “Steve and I are happy to support the effort to bring sculpture to the Warsaw area. In my life, art has given me the opportunity to transcend time and place and be where the artist was and see what he or she saw. It’s exciting that Warsaw is doing something unusual to engage the community in artistic celebration.” Jack Moore, CenturyLink market development manager, commented, “CenturyLink is proud to support the Seward Johnson Exhibit. What a wonderful way to celebrate the arts and Warsaw’s outstanding downtown.” A master donor board will be displayed in Downtown Warsaw during the four-month exhibit. Donors will be listed on the City of Warsaw website with links from the Lakeland Art Association, Kosciusko County Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Warsaw-Kosciusko County Chamber of Commerce websites. In addition, donors will be listed on the exhibit brochure which will be printed once the number of sculptures are determined and their titles known. The brochure will include a map showing the location of each sculpture, and will be available at many area businesses. This exhibit will also be mentioned in the 2014 Kosciusko County Visitors Guide and Warsaw Parks and Recreation Guide. “Walk-n-Wander Warsaw” will kick off at Warsaw’s June 6 First Friday, with a patriotic program by the American Legion and VFW commemorating the 70th anniversary of D-Day at the end of World War II. Around the Courthouse Square, there will be various art-related educational, hands-on activities for kids, along with local sculptors and other artists demonstrating and displaying their talents. Each First Friday in 2014 will focus around The Arts, with different performances and activities featured each month. More information and a sponsorship form are available on the City’s website at www.warsaw.in.gov. For questions about Walk-n-Wander Warsaw, contact Darla McCammon Lakeland Art Association, 574-527-4044, mustes@aol.com, or Michelle Bormet, mayor’s office, at 574-372-9595, mbormet@warsaw.in.gov
