Iowa Sculpture Festival, First Avenue artwork enhance community culture

As those in town and around the community know, there are many large sculptures in Newton that can be seen at schools, businesses, parks and private properties. In fact, there are more than 80 items of public art around Newton.

These artistic additions to the area has evolved in a large part over the years due to the efforts of the Iowa Sculpture Festival, supporters and artists.

The annual Iowa Sculpture Festival takes place each year the same weekend as the Newton Senior High School alumni weekend. This year’s festival will take place June 6 to 8 at the Des Moines Area Community College Newton Campus. This will be the 12th annual sculpture festival.

In the beginning, the festival was held at Maytag Park, but due to unpredictable climate changes, many artist have opted out of exterior shows because of the risk of high loss. The ISF committee has adapted to artists requests and now features the festival at DMACC.

“The great community partner that DMACC is, they stepped up right away and have been there for us since,” Iowa Sculpture Festival President Linda Klepinger said. “There couldn’t be any more accommodating, helpful and professional business than DMACC.”

Sculpture is unlike the large majority of art, which is in two-dimensional form. It’s rare to find an all-sculpture show, which makes the festival attractive to exploring and creative sculptors.

Last year, more than 30 artists and demonstrators from all over the country — including Colorado, Wisconsin, Michigan and Kansas — participated.

Jeff Fleming, director of the Des Moines Art Center, was the judge at the last two festivals. He believes that art is an important part of the culture and integrity of the community.

“In addition to supporting the livelihoods of artists young and old, I believe events like the Iowa Sculpture Festival help to position the arts as a vital component of a community’s life, adding to its economic, cultural and social vitality,” Fleming said. “My own participation in the project was inspired by the passions of its organizers, who seem to agree that the festival contributes on many levels to a better Newton community.”

“Jeff is very contemporary in his leaning for his own personal preference, but he’s very open-minded and welcoming when he comes into our atmosphere and giving the nod to other mediums, forms and genres,” Klepinger added.

Like Fleming, many area businesses and individuals contribute to the Iowa Sculpture Festival in support of the creative community and artists.

For instance, Dori Byers, Jane Ann Cotton, Guy and Deana Gast, Rich and Fran Henderson, Michael and Barb Kaldenberg, and Kevin and Kimbra Korte are all Award of Merit providers.

Last year, the third-place winner received a $500 award from US Bank and a second-place $1,000 award from the Smith Family Foundation. The first-place winner receives an award of $2,000, sponsored by First Newton National Bank.

“First Newton National has always supported the Iowa Sculpture Festival for many reasons, but first and foremost it gives Newton a chance to show what it has to offer by actually having the festival here in Newton,” First Newton National Bank Executive Vice President Rob Kahn said.

“The festival itself brings in many talented artists from all over the country to display their work. We are obviously committed to supporting the arts here in Newton, and this festival allows us to help do our part. Not to mention it brings visitors to Newton to check out the creative culture that Newton as a city and the artists have to offer. It really is a great event.”

“They’re the finest of community sponsors, and this place wouldn’t exist without their support,” Klepinger said of the involvement with FNNB.

Although the festival only last for three days in June, visitors can take a sculpture tour either individually or as a group anytime. Maps are available at the Newton Convention and Visitors Bureau Center.

The Newton CVB offers Sculpture Tours as part of its motorcoach itineraries for visitors. The Centre for Arts & Artists estimates the tour takes about an hour.

“It gives us the opportunity to show off the entire community so visitors can ‘Get to Know Newton’ and all of the other great things we have to offer,” Newton Convention & Visitors Bureau Executive Director Linda Bacon said.

“The feedback we hear from motorcoach tours is amazing. They can’t believe Newton has so many installations of art and sculpture. It is usually the highlight of all of our itineraries. The nice thing is there is generally a sculpture or piece of art at all of the other attractions they are visiting. We also make sure the patrons receive a copy of the sculpture map so they can come back on their own and see the rest if they’re an enthusiast. Our goal is to continue to have motorcoaches groups or individuals from previous groups come back and enjoy the Iowa Sculpture Festival each June.

New to Newton this year is the implementation of the First Avenue of Sculpture and Art program, which is part of the city’s comprehensive plan. It’s a collaborative effort between the Iowa Sculpture Festival, Centre for Arts & Artists, ReNew Newton, Greater Newton Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Newton with the intent to educate, excite and entertain the citizens and visitors of Newton.

The municipal sculpture rental program will set up four sculpture pads along First Avenue — near the west end railroad bridge, on the corner of First Avenue and First Street, in Searland Park next to the Newton Daily News, and at Newton Manufacturing.

The sculptures at these locations will be installed the first week of April and remain there through Nov. 15.

As many citizens take routine routes through town, they often miss out on numerous neighborhoods with art simply because they are not subject to them. The First Avenue of Sculpture and Art program will allow more citizens to appreciate art, and the sculptures also will change with each year to encourage creativity.

“The new sculpture project will allow those people who don’t get off the beaten path to see public art in town, and it will be an instant acknowledgment by a visitor because there are not a lot of towns doing this,” Klepinger said.

“This is one way of taking a future Main Street town and giving it a look that you won’t necessarily find in another Main Street town.”

The sculptures will have to be cleaned to maintain their longevity, and organizers are looking for volunteers to help do that.

“Without the incredible volunteerism that comes from this town of Newton, this would not happen,” Klepinger said.

The postmark deadline for ISF entries is March 1, and artists will be notified by March 10. For more information about submitting, volunteering, tours or the rental art program, visit iowasculpturefestival.org or call (641) 521-3554.

Staff writer Kate Malott may be contacted at (641) 792-3121, ext. 422, or at kmalott@newtondailynews.com.