Name:  Nathan Pierce.

Age:  36.

Residence:  Cape Girardeau, Mo.

Education: Bachelor of Fine Arts in sculpture from Southeast Missouri State University.

Exhibitions:  SculptureWalk Sioux Falls; Outdoor Metal Sculpture Exhibit, Cape Girardeau; Beyond the Pedestal sculpture program, Cape Girardeau; Sculpture Garden, School of Visual and Performing Arts, Monroe, La.; Public Art League, city of Champaign/Urbana, Ill.

Number of sculptures in show:  Two.

Do you plan to be in Salina for the unveiling:  “Yes.”

What inspires you to create art?  “I make completely abstract pieces, but it’s a very personal place these sculptures come from. They come from events that happen to me, things I’m going through. I create these pieces as a way of getting things out. It’s like therapy for me. Hopefully, I can create the same feelings in the viewer, and they can internalize these pieces and respond emotionally to them.”

What materials do you use to create your sculptures?  “I like working with wood and steel. My outdoor pieces are mostly steel with some wood elements. I’m also starting to incorporate some found objects into my work. Sometimes you’re on a very tight budget, and you have to find ways to get your ideas out there without breaking your pocketbook.”

Why is public art important?  “It promotes personal growth and change in people. It makes them think when they see something they’ve never seen before. It helps me make a personal connection with people out there.”

What is your impression of SculptureTour Salina, and why did you enter?  “Every year, I create a couple of large-scale pieces. Then I get online and look for shows that are close enough for me to drive to in a day or so. My impression of Salina is that it looks wonderful. It’s a great opportunity for your community and for artists. I love to see new shows like this pop up and have the community support it. You have a very good program there, even in its second year.”

What do you hope the Salina public will gain from having an annual sculpture tour?  “An appreciation for art. These programs for public art really inspire us as artists. But it’s also a huge inspiration for communities that get to do this every year. I wish there were more programs like this in Missouri. If you get the community to work with a program like this, it’ll make it, and it’ll be around a long time.”

This is one of a series of profiles about the 16 sculptors whose work was selected for SculptureTour Salina 2012. Their works will be displayed on a three-block route along Santa Fe Avenue and adjacent streets in downtown Salina. SculptureTour Salina 2012 launches May 19 and runs through April 2013.

Name:  Tom Ford.

Age:  48.

Residence:  Gillette, Wyo.

Description:  Ford’s passion for horses and the western way of life formed the basis of his sculptures, drawings, stonework and metal signs.

Education:  Northwest Community College, Powell, Wyo.; Casper College, Casper, Wyo.

Exhibitions:  Wyoming Governors Art Show, Cheyenne, Wyo.; Celebrate the Arts Sculpture Tour, Sheridan, Wyo.; AVA Community Center, Gillette, Wyo.; Mayors Avenue of Art, Gillette.

Number of sculptures in show:  One.

Do you plan to be in Salina for the unveiling:  Yes.

What inspires you to create art?

“My influences in art come from the west. Growing up, I wanted to be a cowboy. I started working on ranches at 13, and that gets you close to Mother Nature and the environment. I grew up reading histories of the west and being influenced by great artists like (Frederic) Remington. My subject matter is mostly animals, wildlife and a lot of horses.

“I guess I picked the two worst professions — cowboy and artist. You can’t make much money doing either.”

What materials do you use to create your sculptures?

“Plasticine and classic clay. About 20 years ago, everyone worked in wax, but I’ve been working in clay since the 1990s. I do a lot of sandblasting into stone and some metal artwork. I also do a lot of pen and ink drawings and work in watercolor and oils a little bit.”

Why is public art important?

“There are a lot of great, talented artists out there nobody ever gets exposed to. Shows like yours allow people to see what we do, and the work is out there to enjoy.”

What is your impression of SculptureTour Salina, and why did you enter?

“My wife, Beth, was born and raised in the Glen Elder/Beloit area, and we’re down there quite a bit. She’s been sending out applications for me to several cities. From everything I’ve heard or read about the Salina show, I think it’s going to be a great show, and I’m really looking forward to getting my work out there.”

What do you hope the Salina public will gain from having an annual sculpture tour?

“I hope the goal is to bring a lot of culture into the community. The arts beautify your community. It’s a great way to bring the community together to see art they might not otherwise get a chance to see.”

This is one of a series of profiles about 16 sculptors whose work was selected for SculptureTour Salina 2012. Their works will be displayed on a three-block route along Santa Fe Avenue and adjacent streets in downtown Salina. SculptureTour Salina 2012 launches May 19 and runs through April 2013.

Name: Sandra Messina.

Age: 71.

Residence: Las Vegas.

Education: Instructed by sculptors Lincoln Fox, Grant Speed and Anthony Frudakis and self-taught. “I started my art career by sketching clowns,” Messina said. “I don’t even like clowns, but they’re easy to draw.”

Exhibitions: Boulder City, Nev.; Loveland, Colo.; Marble, Colo.; Las Vegas.

Number of sculptures in show: One.

Do you plan to be in Salina for the unveiling: Yes.

What inspires you to create art?  “I’m a real traditional type of artist. I do realistic figures — mothers and children, birds of prey, animals. I get my inspiration from nature and real life. I was inspired by the masters. When I went to Italy, I was blown away by the great Italian sculptures in Rome, Milan and Venice. I get real excited about that type of realism.

“My intention is to communicate through my artistic endeavors, to stimulate emotion with my art, to express creative ideas worthy of attention.”

What materials do you use to create your sculptures?  “I sculpt form in clay or wax to be cast in bronze or in other three-dimensional media, or use a Styrofoam with a hard polyurethane resin coat and do a finish to make it look bronze. They’re weather-resistant.”

Why is public art important?  “I believe people need groceries, but the human soul needs feeding too. There are a lot of tiny towns around that have a town square, and that town square almost always has a sculpture of some town founder or pioneer in it. Public art is vital for community and civic pride.”

What is your impression of SculptureTour Salina, and why did you enter?  “(Salina) is a great town, and I love what they’re doing with the sculpture tour. That’s why I entered. I think it’s important that it’s a success, and I think they’re going about it in the right way. I’m encouraged by the whole thing.”

What do you hope the Salina public will gain from having an annual sculpture tour?  “I hope it opens the eyes of children and people that there’s more to public life. I hope it brings people out. It helps the community, helps businesses, and it’s just fun stuff.”

Klima, director of Salina Downtown, Inc., 120 W. Ash, said it was awesome to see people of all ages and walks of life interact with the sculptures, which were set on a three-block route along Santa Fe Avenue and adjacent streets.

“I frequently saw people standing at statues, posing and taking pictures and touching the art,” she said.

Those sculptures now have been removed to make room for a new set of outdoor sculptures, due to be unveiled May 19 during a 3 to 6 p.m. premiere party in the downtown Lee District.

The success of the first SculptureTour Salina attracted more applicants for the second round, Klima said. Last year, 10 artists were selected to display 19 works. This year, 16 artists will contribute 24 sculptures.

Profiles of the 16 artists begin today in the Journal and will conclude May 18.

Five returning sculptors

Five sculptors are returning with new works this year, including Susan Geissler, of Niagara Falls, N.Y.; Gregory Johnson, of Cumming, Ga.; Louise Peterson, of Guffey, Colo.; Conrad Snider, of Newton; and Glenn Zweygardt, of Alfred Station, N.Y.

New artists selected this year include Fredrico Aguirre, of North Las Vegas; Marianne Caroselli, of Fair Oaks Ranch, Texas; Fred Conlon, of Salt Lake City; Tom Ford, of Gillette, Wyo.; Julie Jones, of Fort Collins, Colo.; Sandra Messina, of Las Vegas; Pokey Park, of Tucson, Ariz.; Nathan Pierce, of Cape Girardeau, Mo.; Lawrence Starck, of Loveland, Colo.; Greg Todd, of Greeley, Colo.; and Felix Velez, of Loveland.

SculptureTour Salina was created to be a permanent downtown attraction featuring changing exhibits, Klima said. The 24 sculptures by this year’s selected artists will be on display through April 2013, and then a new set of sculptures will be unveiled in May.

“It’s a continuous process now,” she said. “As soon as the new sculptures are up, we start taking applications for next year’s sculptures.”

The premiere party for SculptureTour Salina 2012 will include music performances, dance ensembles and a fencing demonstration at various downtown locations. A full list of entertainment acts and times can be found at salinadowntown.com.

Eight downtown restaurants also will participate in a “Taste the Lee D” event to showcase their cuisine, including Coop’s Pizzeria, 123B S. Santa Fe; Cozy Inn, 108 N. Seventh; El Atoron, 117 N. Santa Fe; Kanza Yansa! Deli and Bakery, 157 N. Seventh; Martinelli’s Little Italy, 158 S. Santa Fe; Mokas Bakery & Bistro, 109 N. Santa Fe; Santa Fe Phillies & Subs, 145 S. Santa Fe; and Taco John’s 303 S. Santa Fe.

Cost of “Taste the Lee D” is $15 a person. Tickets go on sale beginning Monday at Salina Running Co., 122 S. Santa Fe, and Land Title Services, 136 N. Seventh, and on the day of the event at the Salina Media Group remote booth while supplies last.

In conjunction with SculptureTour Salina 2012, Zweygardt and three other artists — Christine Ehmann, of Alfred Station, and Rich Bergen and Dee Warren, both of Salina — will host a sculpture symposium May 15-18 at Spilman Plaza on South Santa Fe.

The four artists will create stone sculptures during the week, which the public is invited to view.

“We hope a lot of mystery will be excised through the symposium, such as ‘How do you do that?’ ” Zweygardt said.

Born and raised in northwest Kansas, Glenn Zweygardt has been an active sculptor and educator for over 40 years. He received his BFA from Wichita State University and MFA from Maryland Institute College of Art, Baltimore, MD. Glenn was the chair of the Sculpture Department and now serves as emeritus Professor of Sculpture at New York State College of Ceramics, Alfred Station, NY.

Christine Ehnmann, NY, Rich Bergen and Dee Warren both of Salina, will also be creating stone and mixed media sculptures during that week. All four sculptors have agreed to donate their work to Sculpture Tour Salina.

Mike Hoppock, STS Chairman credits the partnership of 2 businesses and the 4 artists for making this happen in Salina. “US Stone Industries, LLC, Saint Marys, KS has donated the native Kansas limestone and Capitol Federal Foundation has awarded a grant to help cover a portion of the cost of our first annual sculpture symposium.  We are excited to have the community meet the artists and learn how they create their art.”

Sculpture Tour Salina is an exciting exhibit of outdoor sculptures displayed in downtown Salina, Kansas. Artists place their sculptures in the program for one year, May through April. All sculptures are promoted for sale to the public. Artists are eligible to win awards for Best of Show and People’s Choice Purchase Award.

Join us in the Lee District in Historic Salina downtown, area businesses,
galleries, restaurants, and specialty shops

BERGEN’S SCULPTURE STUDIO
Metal Sculpture, Dick Bergen, Rich Bergen, Larry Goodwin, Bill Lorensen
Drawings and Mixed Media Work, Lindy Lorenson
320 N Santa Fe | 785.825.7642 | bergensculpture.org

KWU ART GALLERY
Student Juried Art Exhibition
100 E Claflin Ave. | 785.827.5541 | kwu.edu

SALINA COUNTRY CLUB
From Scrap Heap to the Art We Keep, Kurt Wolf
2101 E Country Club | 785.827.0388 | salinacountryclub.com

SALINA PUBLIC LIBRARY
Toni Brou, mixed media folk art, Gallery Display
Don Wagner, folk singer, guitarist, songwriter
301 W Elm | 785.825.4624 |salinapubliclibrary.org

SMOKY HILL MUSEUM
Kansas Weather: Supersonic Winds & Hard Water
Join Rod Beemer, historian and author for an engaging look at some of Kansas’
more dramatic weather, 5:30 – 6:30 pm
211 W Iron | 785-309-5776 |smokyhillmusuem.org

STIEFEL THEATRE
Photography by Tom Dorsey, Watson Room, 5-7 pm
Classic Movie: Chariots of Fire, 7:00 pm
151 S Santa Fe | 785-827-1998 | stiefeltheatre.org

SALINA ART CENTER
Snapshots Exhibition Opening, remarks at 5:30 pm
Join us for the opening of Snapshots, on view in the Salina Art Center
galleries.  242 S Santa Fe | 785-827-1431 | salinaartcenter.org

AD ASTRA
Craig Plotner, acoustic guitar, 7:00 pm
141 N. Santa Fe / 785-833-2235

Download Salina Downtown’s Mobile App right from your AppStore (Google Play)!

It is currently only on the Android Market, will be available for iphones soon!

The Horizons Grants Program is funded by private individuals and businesses that provide grant dollars for the development of the cultural life of Saline County. The Horizons Organizational Project Grants category was established by Salina Arts and Humanities in 1985. Through the Horizons Grants Program’s history, more than $749,500 (matched by $1,575,500) has been awarded, involving 590,400 citizens in art and cultural activity.

The following grant awards will support projects taking place between June 1, 2012, and May 31, 2013:

* $4,607 to The Greater Salina Community Foundation, dba SculptureTour Salina Sculpture Symposium, for a publicly accessible temporary outdoor sculpture symposium to be held the week prior to the annual SculptureTour installation. “Community support of the arts brings the arts back to businesses – a very symbiotic grant.” Wayne Conyers, Juror, McPherson College.

* $6,293 to the Salina Art Center for ARTery: Phase 2, to build on its facility-renewal project through the Art Center’s multimedia, interactive arts lab. According to the Salina Art Center, the grant award “will enhance the participant’s understanding, experience, and appreciation of the visual arts by employing diverse educational tools, artists, and arts educators.”

* $5,300 to the Salina Symphony for a residency featuring Allen Vizzutti, Trumpet, underwriting an educational outreach concert, clinic, and public performance. “Allen Vizzutti’s name will bring in people from beyond Salina, the region, and other states – the quality of the artist is rare.” Lane Weaver, Juror, Fort Hays State University.

* $5,300 to Salina Community Theatre for Funding Summer Interns to hire up to four college interns to help produce Summer Stage and Stage Two programs. “I am a believer in the use of interns. They come from faraway places to let you know performing arts can happen in small towns.” Charlotte Talbert, Juror, Denver Science and Cultural Collaborative.

Applications to the Horizons Grant Program are judged in a competitive process addressing artistic quality, community outreach/collaboration and financial/administrative management. Expected program outcomes include demonstration of artistic excellence, the creation of engaging, innovative projects, and the development of strategic community partnerships.

FIRST THURSDAY ART RUSH

STIEFEL THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Stiefel Classic Movie: The Natural, 7:00 pm
Photography by Tom Dorsey, Watson Room, 5-7 p.m.
151 S Santa Fe | 785.827.1998 | stiefeltheatre.org

SMOKY HILL MUSEUM
Kansans in the Harlem Renaissance, Marty Keenan discusses numerous black
Kansans affected by this period. 5:30-6:30 p.m. 211 W Iron | 785.309.5776 | smokyhillmuseum.org

SALINA ART CENTER/ART CENTER CINEMA
Tony Feher’s Installation at the Warehouse
Feb 2, 5 to 7 p.m. 149 S. 4th St. | 785.827.1431 | salinaartcenter.org
Streams of Consciousness: The Histories, Mythologies, and Ecologies of Water, thru March 11
242 S Santa Fe | 785.827.1431 | salinaartcenter.org
Film: The Artist, Through March 1 150 S Santa Fe | 785.452.9868

BERGEN’S GALLERY AND STUDIO
Rails and Wheels: The Railroad Corridor Project model by Richie Bergen,
Reception Feb 2, 5-9 p.m.
320 N. Santa Fe | 785.825.7642 | bergensculptures.com

KANSAS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY
Primal Instincts, exhibit by high school students,
The Gallery, Sams Hall of Fine Arts, Through March 30 ,
100 E. Claflin | 785.827.5541 ext. 5166 | kwu.edu

SALINA PUBLIC LIBRARY
Novel Notes with Mattson and Weaver
Brenda Downs artist reception, 5-7 p.m.
301 W Elm | 785-825-4624 | salinapubliclibrary.org

ETC BOUTIQUE
Elizabeth Bryan, Unique jewelry and whimsical items.
5-7 p.m. 116 S Santa Fe

UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP
Kurt Wolf, From the Scrap Heap to the Art We Keep, Artist reception, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
901 Beatrice | 785-825-6275| uusalina.org
SALINA COUNTRY CLUB
Challenges, Multi media artist, Debbie Wagner, presents a variety of work representing media she enjoys working with.

“This is a great day for Salina and the state of Kansas,” said Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback. “The decision by Exide to expand in Salina is a reflection of the importance that we place on creating a positive business environment that encourages economic growth and job creation. This expansion is a model for cooperation between the public and private sectors, which came together to make this progress happen. Congratulations to all those involved. ”

Exide is investing in equipment upgrades, line expansions, infrastructure and utilities at its Salina operation, which currently employs more than 600 people. Following the investment in Salina, Exide will have the capacity to expand the annual assembly and charging of batteries destined for automobiles.

“On behalf of the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce, I thank Governor Brownback, the Kansas Department of Commerce, Westar Energy and the Salina Economic Development Incentives Council for working together to make this significant expansion possible,” said Salina Chamber Chairman Dan Mendicina, plant director of Philips Lighting.

“The project will result in more than four million dollars of increased annual payroll for the community and many above average wage positions,” Mendicina said. “With the Hawker Beechcraft lease at the Salina Airport ending later this month, this is very good news for all of Salina.”

“Exide Technologies is proud of the more than 35 years it has spent as an employer and corporate citizen of the City of Salina,” said Exide Vice President, Communications, Susan Jaramillo. “We are pleased to be able to not only continue but grow this relationship into the future. Exide wants to thanks the city of Salina and the state of Kansas for their cooperation and ongoing support of our business.”