the BEHOLDERIn the Eyes & Return of Sculpture in the Park brings new, fun art to explore

By Melissa Rubalcaba Riske | Photos courtesy of St. Charles Park District

It’s time to stroll among the sculptures and explore art creations with the return of the annual Sculpture in the Park at Mt. St. Mary Park in St. Charles.

This summer marks the 17th year for the annual outdoor art exhibit that features unique pieces displayed along the park’s main walking path. Artists from around the country and as well as a few from the Tri-Cities have pieces on display through the end of September.

From the visitors who stumble upon the exhibit on a visit to the park to those who make a special visit to the park to see the limited-time display will find new, innovative and even playful pieces to enjoy as they stroll the community park.

“Kids love this exhibit as much as adults. There is something for everyone,” said Erika Young, the public relations and marketing manager for St. Charles Park District.

This year’s exhibit has plenty to please the eye with sculptures made of varying sizes, materials and even a sculpture that allows visitors to make a little music. What appears to resemble a merry-go-round of playgrounds in the past is an interactive musical sculpture made by young artist Isaac Kidder of Minnesota. The piece is titled, Variations on a Circle of Fifths, and it a piece that reflects Kidder’s love to create art and passion for healing through music.

Kidder has been creating sculptures and woodworking since he was a child and in college at St. Olaf in Minnesota, he took a class in metal sculpting and discovered a love for the medium. Sculpting is more than a vision for a piece, requiring skills to weld as well as a large studio space to create each piece.

Kidder said the piece on display at Mt. St. Mary Park is the fourth version of the piece he has created, having evolved the piece of art with each version to make it stronger and better able to withstand the interactions with the public.

“I’ve tried to upgrade it with each version, making it more user friendly and more durable,” Kidder said.

While some art is meant to be seen and not touched, Kidder was excited to visit St. Charles and see visitors interacting with his piece. He explained the mallets ensure the player is striking the best point to create the musical note, with hidden references to keys on a piano and how sound and light waves/frequencies correspond to one another.

While someone with musical knowledge will be intrigued to peel back the layers of art to see the hidden aspects, many of the younger visitors will simply enjoy trying to make a little music, comparing the piece to a xylophone.