The Making of An Enchanted Arboretum
In the fall of 2012, professional artists from around the country submitted 12-inch maquettes of suggested designs that were then juried by area arts experts for project inclusion. Of the 55 submissions, only 21 could be chosen. The artists of the winning designs received their blank sculpture along with a materials stipend in January 2013 and set to work on their creations.
Download and print a map of the new sculpture locations
Concurrently, students in Nebraska City Public Schools, Lourdes Central Catholic Schools, and the Nebraska Center for the Education of Children who are Blind or Visually Impaired were busy creating their own designs under the direction of Lincoln-Nebraska teaching artist Liz Shea-McCoy. More than 1,100 students participated in the project with all the student maquettes featured at a public showcase at the Nebraska City Public High School in March 2013.
Download and print a map of the new sculpture locations
Concurrently, students in Nebraska City Public Schools, Lourdes Central Catholic Schools, and the Nebraska Center for the Education of Children who are Blind or Visually Impaired were busy creating their own designs under the direction of Lincoln-Nebraska teaching artist Liz Shea-McCoy. More than 1,100 students participated in the project with all the student maquettes featured at a public showcase at the Nebraska City Public High School in March 2013.
46 student designs by 1st - 8th graders, were chosen by teachers and local artists to be replicated by the student artists onto four-foot tree sculptures. Four high school art students awarded six-foot trees. The students completely their trees at their school under the supervision of staff, parents, and volunteers during before / after school and weekend painting sessions.
The sculptures are a cast fiber-reinforced urethane manufactured by Icon Poly of Gibbon, Nebraska, which specializes in creating three-dimensional forms for public art projects throughout the United States.
The 25 six-foot tree sculptures are currently placed in outdoor public spaces around Nebraska City while the 46 four-foot student trees are displayed inside various businesses throughout the community.
On September 28, 2013, all the sculptures will be auctioned off at a public event at Arbor Lodge State Historical Park in Nebraska City. The six-foot trees are required to stay on display in Nebraska City following the auction; plaques will note individual sponsors.
The sculptures are a cast fiber-reinforced urethane manufactured by Icon Poly of Gibbon, Nebraska, which specializes in creating three-dimensional forms for public art projects throughout the United States.
The 25 six-foot tree sculptures are currently placed in outdoor public spaces around Nebraska City while the 46 four-foot student trees are displayed inside various businesses throughout the community.
On September 28, 2013, all the sculptures will be auctioned off at a public event at Arbor Lodge State Historical Park in Nebraska City. The six-foot trees are required to stay on display in Nebraska City following the auction; plaques will note individual sponsors.
Donors: Paul, John, Anton & Doris Wirth Foundation, Karl H. & Wealtha H. Nelson Family Foundation, Kropp Charitable Foundation, Inc., City of Nebraska City (LB 840 Funds), Rotary Club No. 2090, United Way of Nebraska City, Inc.
Partners: Arbor Day Foundation, Arts Are Basic (a partner program of Doane College), City of Nebraska City, Icon Poly Studio, Lourdes Central Catholic Schools, Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts, Nebraska City Tourism and Commerce, Nebraska City Area Economic Development Corporation, Nebraska City Public Schools, Nebraska Center for the Education of Children who are Blind or Visually Impaired (NCECBVI)
Partners: Arbor Day Foundation, Arts Are Basic (a partner program of Doane College), City of Nebraska City, Icon Poly Studio, Lourdes Central Catholic Schools, Kimmel Harding Nelson Center for the Arts, Nebraska City Tourism and Commerce, Nebraska City Area Economic Development Corporation, Nebraska City Public Schools, Nebraska Center for the Education of Children who are Blind or Visually Impaired (NCECBVI)