Tuesday, November 5 and Wednesday November 6 were the 2 days scheduled for the Eco-Art finalists to visit Lexington and look at potential sites. After a brief meeting with Jim Clark (President and CEO of LexArts), Nathan Zamarron (Community Arts Manager for LexArts) took myself and Brian Rust (a sculptor from Augusta, GA) on a tour of prospective sites.
Our first stop was McConnell Springs, which is a hidden jewel on the west side of town. This is a stainless steel sculpture by local artist Erika Strecker.
Not far away was a second site by this bridge. This is a temporary sculpture by an artist who just graduated from the nearby University of Kentucky.
Beside the bridge is a warehouse that hosts local bands. This mural is a marker for the Distillery District.
Directly behind the artwork that features a steam locomotive and across Town Branch Creek is the locally owned R.J. Corman Railroad. Nathan explained that they may soon open passenger traffic with Louisville - I love it! One of the things that also came out (when I mentioned that we have a railroad caboose) was Nathan's 5 year involvement with the Art Train. He said that he saw most of the country while riding in a caboose.
We stopped at Ashland, which is the historic home of Henry Clay.
Tucked away behind a bordering hedge is this beautiful formal garden.
We went to Jacobsen Park on the East side of town and then to Clay's Ferry. This is the I-75 bridge as it goes over the Kentucky River. It's interesting to note how the 3 major concrete pylons are distinctly different sculptural forms. (Art is where you find it.)
Our last stop was Raven Run's new visitors center. We got there about 15 minutes before closing, so we didn't see much of the park. I plan to make a day trip out to explore the place thoroughly as I was told that it is a real picturesque part of the Palisades of the Kentucky River.
The day ended with a reception at the Mayor's house where we got to see an amazing art collection and meet some artists from Brazil who are creating a 60' high by 50' mural downtown. We were treated to a dinner, a night's stay at Gratz Park Inn and breakfast the next morning.
I was able to experience a side of Lexington that I'd not seen before and was quite happy for the tour and the hospitality.
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