Woicke’s Owl
The Chestertown Public Arts Committee is pleased to announce the arrival of the latest sculptures from the Peter and Hanna Woicke Collection. The collection, which has now been fully gifted to the town, includes 23 pieces from a variety of acclaimed American and international artists.
Super Duty Yellow was recently installed in Gateway Park located on Route 20 and Flatland Road. In 2013 American artist, Jeremy Thomas, created this playful piece through an innovative process of welding sheets of metal together and then inflating them with forced air. Viewers of this abstract work may find that it reminds them of many different things, from a shiny birthday balloon to a fortune cookie.
Three additional sculptures from the Woicke Collection–Inchworm (for John Coltrane), Woicke’s Owl, and Fully Empowered– are currently on view at Robert Ortiz Studios located at 207 South Cross Street. They will be installed as weather permits; in the meantime, the public is invited to stop in at Ortiz Studios to view them. Hours are Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday’s hours are 10:00a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Inchworm
Inchworm (for John Coltrane) was made in 2000 by renowned American artist Lee Kelly, who named this Cor-Ten Steel work for a John Coltrane composition. Its swirling forms may remind us of the muscular yet fluid style of the great saxophonist’s playing style, while its steel wheels may be a sly pun to the saxophonist’s nickname, “Trane”.
Don Rambadt created Woicke’s Owl as a special commission for the collectors in 2000. As he did with the sculptures Sentinel (installed in front of the Cerino Center) and Strength of Community (installed at the corner of Cannon and Mill Streets), Rambadt artfully conjures the beauty of birds through a few simple lines to elegantly convey the grace and dignity of a perched owl.
Fully Empowered
Ella Tulin’s Fully Empowered was a signature piece in the United Nations international exhibit, Progress of the World’s Women in 2000. This 1987 sculpture is a superb example of the kind of work that established this Maryland artist as a leader of the feminist art movement of the 1970s and 1980s.
Members of the Public Arts Committee work with the Town Council, Town Hall staff, and the Parks and Recreation Commission to find fitting locations around town for the works. Installation is overseen by Ben Herr of Anthony’s Flowers & Landscaping, Mat Warrington from Mackinaw Creations (Artisan Concrete), and Rob Glebe- Rob Glebe Design (Fine Metal Art and Craft)
Lead photo: Inchworm
Information about these sculptures and more, including how to support the Public Arts Committee, can be found here.
Stephan Klingelhofer says
The angey wolves in the playground
For small children seem poorly placed.
Joseph Fick says
Who pays for the placement?
James Dissette says
Ed Note: All costs for installation, maintenance, and conservation are from private funds donated to the town for this purpose and managed by the Chestertown Public Arts Committee. More information can be found at our website: Chestertownpublicarts.com.
Sally Sweetser says
Driving frequently past the yellow “sculpture” on Route 20 and Flatland Road, I hoped a recycling truck would take it away. It looks like debris from space, or from a recent airplane crash. Like several other pieces of “art” inflicted on us, I wonder what visitors and children think of the dissonance they cause in our lovely, historic town.
Howard Schultz says
Since you state that donations are considered a charitable donation how much was credited to the Woicke collection?
Ben Tilghman says
The town doesn’t make the valuation. Per IRS regulations, town officials confirm that the donation was made and then the donors hire a professional to make an independent valuation for tax purposes.