In cooperation with Antrim County, Art Rapids! has created a Walk of Art outdoor sculpture gallery 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 and workshops, concerts, 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 Day Park comprises about 15 acres of forest, dune and a quarter mile of beach frontage along East Grand Traverse Bay on Lake Michigan. It has public rest rooms, a picnic pavilion with handicap access from a 90-car parking lot, numerous foot trails and picnic sites with charcoal grills and tables. Enhancing the Day Park with sculptures has provided another way to enjoy art and nature, made more people aware of this lovely park, and attracted more visitors to the community. To reserve the Deborah Wentworth Pavilion, call Antrim County Parks @ 231-599-2712
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 sculpture gallery opened in May of 2013 with six selected sculptures, and has expanded each year, featuring 30 pieces in 2018. The entrance to the park is marked by a commissioned sign created by Art Brown of Torch Tip Ironworks.
In 2013, Art Rapids! received the prestigious “Keep Michigan Beautiful” award for the Walk of Art project.
This park is DOG FRIENDLY and open year round with a walk-in gate during winter hours. The Walk of Art is funded by private gifts and donations.
Walk of Art group tours are available. Please email your request to art@artrapids.org and someone will contact you.
Sculptures in the Park
Amelia by Ritch Branstrom
Back to Back by Bart Ingraham
Becca Triumphs by Ann Gildner
Becoming by Bart Ingraham
Blue Dragon by Bart Ingraham
Blue Sculpture by David Petrakovitz
Botanical Forms by David Petrakovitz
Bouquet by Andrew Kline
Emergence by Bart Ingraham
Grand Traverse Bay Monolith by Leif Sporck
Grand Traverse Portage by Dewey Blocksma
Hardwoods II, III and IV by Sam Soet
Infinite Clearance by Scott Froschauer
Interstate NOW UROK by Scott Fruschauer
Keeping It Together by Bart Ingraham
Lightning Bug by Justin La Doux
Matilda by Julie Kradel
Mending Heart by Michael Angelo Magnotta
Millie by Ann Gildner
Musician by Maureen Bergquist Gray
Off Balance by Jeff Whyman
One Way Heart by Scott Froschauer
Owls in Flight by Bart Ingraham
Parallel Outcomes by David Petrokovitz
People and Places by Mark Warwick
Seedpod 9 by David Greenwood
Singing Pail of Dreams by John Goss
Strange Roots by Michael Angelo Magnotta
The Peace Signs by Scott Froschauer
The Single Twist by Mary Angers
Toobers and Zots by David Petrakovitz
Yesterday I Saw Mountains by Nick Preneta
You Are Enough by Scott Froschauer
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
ARTISTS IN THE PARK
Mary Angers
Dewey Blocksma
Ritch Branstrom
Art Brown
Scott Froschauer
Ann Gildner
John Goss
Maureen Bergquist Gray
David Greenwood
Bart Ingraham
Julie Kradel
Michael Angelo Magnotta
David Petrakovitz
Nick Preneta
Sam Soet
Leif Sporck
Mark Warwick
Jeff Whyman