A TRUE ‘WALK’ OF ART

Go for a picturesque stroll along the Sanford Sculpture Walk

By Heather Turk

Already known as one of the most picturesque places in Florida to watch a sunset, the Sanford RiverWalk is now more breathtaking than ever thanks to the recent addition of the Sanford Sculpture Walk.

The perfect complement to the many resources the Sanford RiverWalk has to offer — including fishing, boating, picnicking and a children’s playground and splash pad — the Sanford Sculpture Walk was unveiled to the public last April. Boasting five original sculptures by Massachusetts metal sculptor Dale Rogers that range between 5 and 11 feet tall, the permanent outdoor art exhibit seamlessly blends art with nature.

Located on the southern shore of Lake Monroe and extending into Paulucci Park, the Sanford Sculpture Walk takes pedestrians approximately 30 minutes to walk to each piece. As visitors stroll along the one-of-a-kind attraction, they will see such stunning pieces by Rogers as “3 Cardinals in a Tree” — a COR-TEN steel tree sculpture adorned with three bright red cardinals that captures the essence of Sanford’s love for nature and wildlife. “Dog and Cat” is another favorite, highlighting the city’s love for pets and animals by showcasing a COR-TEN steel dog with a COR-TEN steel cat on its back.

Rogers’ works are joined by a sixth sculpture — a 14-foot-tall, threedimensional chainsaw art piece by tree artist Mark Rice that highlights some of the wildlife visitors might see along St. Johns River — located in front of the Civic Center. The City of Sanford’s Public Art Commission plans to continue to add more sculptures by various artists to the Sanford Sculpture Walk in the future and is continuously adding art wraps to the Sanford RiverWalk’s utility boxes. Work also began on a 66-footlong floral mural painted on the Sanford RiverWalk’s shuffleboard building over the summer, further adding to the area’s natural and man-made beauty. sanfordfl. gov/government/communications-office/ public-art/sculpture-walk

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farewell tour rocks

Clearwater’s new outdoor waterfront concert venue, The Sound at Coachman Park, on Sept. 16. Celebrating a career that spans nearly six decades of hits, including “I’m Alright” and “Footloose,” the concert starts at 7:30 p.m.

Baystar Clearwater Offshore takes place at Clearwater Beach Sept. 22 through 24. Spectators can enjoy multiple parties leading up to and following the 2.5-mile-long powerboat race Sunday, plus live entertainment and vendors Saturday. clearwaternationals.com

Mural artists from across the globe will leave their mark on downtown St. Pete Oct. 13 through 22 when the SHINE St. Petersburg Mural Festival returns for its ninth year. Guests can access a map online to find 14 new murals being painted throughout the area, as well as a series of community mural projects. stpeteartsalliance.org/shine-mural-festival

Author Fran Lebowitz brings her sardonic social commentary to the Straz Center in Tampa Nov. 4 for “An Evening with Fran Lebowitz.” The event begins at 7:30 p.m. inside Ferguson Hall. strazcenter.org