The North Carolina Arboretum is pleased to feature 10 artists in the installment of its third major juried sculpture show running now through October 31, 2008. Called “Kaleidoscope,” this contemporary landscape sculpture exhibit embraces the opportunity to see objects of beautiful form, pattern and change. The Arboretum artfully integrates 13 new and existing sculptures into created garden landscapes, infusing public art into public space.

Clara Curtis, the Arboretum’s director for design, remarks, “just as the kaleidoscope - a favorite childhood toy - offers a changeable scene when looking through the mirrored tube, outdoor sculpture can change the view of a landscape by its presence and our position in relation to the piece.” Taking this concept to a broader level, Curtis adds, “As our mountain environment changes climatically, socially and physically, so too must individuals adapt to change, and this exhibit employs sculpture as our inspiration.”

The 10 featured artists are from North Carolina and have received national and international recognition. Grace Cathey’s work, for example, has been displayed at the U.S. Botanical Gardens, and Jim Gallucci designed a piece for the 9-11 Sculpture Project using steel from the World Trade Center.

The sculptures included in the exhibit are available for purchase and range in price from $750 to $20,000. Materials used include steel, granite, wood, copper, and more.

Ralph Berger from Rutherfordton
Barron Brown from Burnsville
Grace Cathey from Waynesville
Stephen J. Chilingirian from Zirconia
Jim Gallucci from Greensboro
Ila R. Seltzer from Burnsville
Julia Stout from Black Mountain
Martin Webster from Burnsville
Reuben Andrew Williams from Mars Hill
Robert Winkler from Asheville

“Kaleidoscope” is one of several opportunities to enjoy art at the Arboretum including an art walk that tours the Arboretum’s permanent outdoor and indoor collection, a rotating quilt exhibit presented by the Asheville Quilt Guild, and two upcoming nature-themed exhibits: opening April 23, “Silent Beauty: A View of the Changing Seasons,” featuring the photography of Cynthia Walker, and opening May 23, “Our Precious Land: Visions and Scenes of North Carolina,” paintings by Luke Allsbrook.

With each of these exhibits, the Arboretum is committed to supporting regional artists and to its mission of cultivating connections between people and plants.

For more information call the Arboretum at 828-665-2492 or visit www.ncarboretum.org.