Museum Board Member’s Corner
From Rozanne Lind, a member of the WVMCC board of trustees, who also helps coordinate Beauty of Bronze:
If you happened by Riverfront Park during the last two weeks of September, you might have noticed the nature art displayed. The 5th grade students of the Wenatchee School District and River Academy participated in this field experience known as The Beauty of Bronze. They started their day at Numerica’s Performing Arts Center with a presentation by our artist-in-residence, Kevin Pettelle (Single Point, Guppo the Clown, Crouching Man and Ped), who guided them throughout the day.
Next stop was an on-stage and backstage tour of the NPAC. We learned about three sculptures in the NPAC – and then over the pedestrian bridge we went to view four pieces in the Sculpture Garden, learn about the artists and do some sketching. After lunch in the Courtyard, we headed back to the park to take part in the Andy Goldsworthy Challenge. Using an assortment of rocks, bones, driftwood and pinecones, students working in groups of four created nature sculptures. Lastly, we headed to the Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center to create wax sculptures (maquettes) that are presently at Northwest Art Works in Portland being processed into bronze sculptures. Be sure to visit the museum on First Friday – Friday, December 4th from 5-8 p.m. for our students’ exhibit reception!
Our children come to learn about the art that beautifies Wenatchee, and leave with a clearer understanding of community responsibility and pride.
This Field Experience is truly a community effort! The program is only a reality thanks to the museum staff and volunteers, our PTSAs, the Robert B. McMillen Foundation, the McQuaig Jubilee Fund, Washington State Art Commission and Wenatchee Arts Consortium, NCW Foundation for Youth, Art on the Avenues (where this incredible program began twelve years ago), Chelan Parks and PUD, Numerica Performing Arts Center, the Wenatchee School District, North West Art Works, and Kevin Pettelle, our artist-in-residence.
