PEORIA, IL- August, 16, 2016- “Awaken”, created by sculptor, Don Frost, from Ontario, Canada, has sold to private collectors. The purchasers who wish to remain anonymous said, “The second year of Sculpture Walk Peoria is simply fantastic! So much so, we found ourselves buying “Awaken” twenty minutes into Opening Day. It wasn’t something we intended to do, but art has a funny way of speaking to people and this piece said, “I was made for you.” We love that “Awaken” stays right where it is for a year, so the rest of our community and visitors to Peoria get to appreciate it as much as we do.”
Sculptor, Don Frost, expressed overwhelming surprise and gratitude at the quick sale of his piece, “Awaken” – a freeform sculpture composed of carbon fiber. Frost is one of only a handful of artists in the world using this method of sculpture production. His challenge was to create beauty using non-recognizable shapes and Frost is excited his sculpture will remain in the Peoria area.
When he arrived in Peoria, Frost says he felt a sense of “home,” as Peoria resembles his hometown of Peterborough, Ontario. “I can’t remember the author, but ‘a copy of the universe is not what is required of art; one of the things is ample,’ and this is why I think the people of Peoria are so lucky to have their art walk and view such high quality, original, and unique sculpture created by such a diverse group of skilled and imaginative individuals,” said Frost.
Sculpture Walk Peoria is a one-year display of 16 sculptures created by nationally and internationally renowned sculptors and an initiative of ArtsPartners of central Illinois, Inc. with the full support of the City of Peoria and private businesses. The sculptures can be viewed outdoors in Peoria’s Warehouse District, on Washington Street between State and Fulton. All the sculptures on the 2016 Walk are available for purchase and the four sold in 2015 remain in the Peoria area with a percentage of the sales benefitting ArtsPartners of Central Illinois.
ArtsPartners of central Illinois promotes the arts as a vital component of central Illinois’ cultural and economic development. Founded in 1999, ArtsPartners of central Illinois, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) tax-exempt, not-for-profit organization whose mission is to build awareness and strengthen the arts as an economic catalyst for the Peoria Area.
Sculpture Walk Peoria offers free, guided tours Saturdays through October 29, 2016 at 10 AM and Noon, starting in the Peoria Riverfront Museum Lobby. For Special Group or Private tours, please call ArtsPartners at 309-676-2787.
Photo: Jeanette Kosier