BEHOLDER Ears of

and appearance that are quite lifelike. Johnson’s sculptures have been a part of the annual exhibit in years past and there’s a buzz to have the international artist’s work in the park for the summer, Young said.

The annual outdoor exhibit started with a donation in 2005 from a local artist, Young explained. The large bronze turtle in Mt. St. Mary Park, near the Fox River, was created and donated from John Kobald and his family as a gift to honor his father, Ray Kobald, a local artist. The piece inspired the idea of creating a rotating outdoor exhibit and in 2006 the first year of Sculpture in the Park was launched in Mt. St. Mary Park.

“Everyone can explore the piece and see what you can figure out,” Kidder said.

Kidder has a second piece in the sculpture show, Inner Peace, which plays with metal shaped into crescent moons that also create a peace sign, Kidder said. At 40, Kidder said being a part of public shows like Sculpture in the Park is great way to meet people, explore new communities and make connections. And it’s a chance for more people to see his piece and explore its meaning.

This year’s exhibit invites visitors to imagine, play and admire the work of several artists, including artists local to the Kane County area, as well as international artists, including the work of Seward Johnson and his piece Far Out. Park visitors will find it a challenge to restrain their hands from reaching out to touch the statue of a man deep in thought, with the textures

It is a juried show, where artists apply to participate and a jury review the pieces and awards an honor and small monetary award to the selected piece. The award for 2023 was given to artist Charles Yost of Chicago for his piece titled Apparition Indecision, created with steel and powder coat paint.

While Sculpture in the Park features a rotating exhibit of pieces during the summer, the park district has acquired several permanent pieces through artist and benefactor donations as well as purchases, Young explained. The piece Mr. Eggwards, which many visitors refer to as “Humpty Dumpty” looks out on the visitors driving past Mt. St. Mary Park while a smaller version of the sculpture titled, Sheldon “Shelly” Eggwards, greets visitors at nearby Pottawatomie Park.

The website stcsculpture.org provides photos and details of where to find pieces of the permanent exhibit as well as information on each year’s rotating exhibit. The exhibit is on display through September.