Featuring 30 works of art in 2016
In cooperation with Antrim County, Art Rapids! has created a “Walk of Art” outdoor sculpture exhibit in the county’s Elk Rapids Day Park on South Bay Shore Drive. In addition to the sculptures, the park is also host to classes, the annual Concert in the Park, an Art of Assemblage class, and various other activities.
The concept is an extension of the organization’s mission to enhance and promote the arts in the Elk Rapids area. The Elk Rapids Day Park is a beautiful park with a quarter mile of beach frontage along East Grand Traverse Bay on Lake Michigan. Enhancing it in this way has provided another way to enjoy art and nature, made more people aware of this lovely park, and attracted more visitors to the community.
Sculptures selected by a jury will be placed on display for one to three years. A three-year maximum is intended to keep the exhibits new and interesting. Most of the sculptures are available for purchase.
The park opened in May, 2013 with six selected sculptures, and has expanded each year, now featuring 30 pieces in 2016.
Blue Dragon by Bart Ingraham
Blue Eyes by Bart Ingraham
Blue Sculpture with Yellow Ring by David Petrakovitz
Borer by Sam Soet
Dark Matter by Steven Cannaert
Emergence by Bart Ingraham
Enlighten by Margot McMahon
For Wendel Heers by Scott Lankton
Garden Piece by Wendel Heers and Scott Lankton
Golden Canopy by Dace Koenigsknecht
Hardwoods II, Aspen Walker, and Drifter by Sam Soet
I Love Michigan Cherries by Joe Lueck
Kinderbell by Tom Kaufmann
The Lotus by Bart Ingraham
Major 7th by Brian Ferriby
Mermaid Wind Machine by Dewey Blocksma
Off Balance by Jeff Whyman
On the Ledge by Dace Koenigsknecht
Perch by Margot McMahon
Reliquary by M. Lennington
Sailfish by Michael Angelo Magnotta
Seedpod 10 by David Greenwood
Seek Alternate Route by David Petrakovitz
Singing Pail of Dreams by John Goss
Strange Roots by Michael Angelo Magnotta
Sun Over the Red Sea by Dave Vande Vusse
Timekeeper by Maureen Gray
A ceramic mural created by students in the Art Rapids! 2015 summer art camp program
Also, Crane by Arthur Lazaryan, a gift to Art Rapids! from the artist, is on display at the Elk Rapids Public Library.
In addition, the entrance to the park is marked by a commissioned sign created by Art Brown.
Another exciting addition to the Walk of Art is Summer Art Camp, underwritten by Art Rapids with instruction by Blackbird Arts of Traverse City.
Since 2014, Art Rapids! has teamed with Blackbird Arts of Traverse City to host children’s art classes in the park pavilion each summer. Additionally, Art Rapids! has joined with the Elk Rapids Rotary Club to host a free concert for several years. Art Rapids! also plans to develop programs for area schools to use the sculpture park for educational field trips, student art projects and installations, community-wide, interactive art projects and other educational activities. Guided group tours are available at no charge - please contact us to schedule.
The Day Park comprises about 15 acres of forest, dune and beach. It has public rest rooms, a paved walk for handicap access from a 90-car parking lot, numerous foot trails and picnic sites with charcoal grills and tables.
Art Rapids! recognizes that Elk Rapids is a very arts-minded town. The Walk of Art project is an exciting way to bring another arts venue to the area.
In 2013, Art Rapids! received the prestigious “Keep Michigan Beautiful” award for the Walk of Art project.
The “Walk of Art” is funded by private gifts and MCACA grants.
Scenes from Elk Rapids Day Park, home to the Walk of Art sculpture park:
Click here to view the Walk of Art virtual tour!