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PHOTOS: Artpark Percussion Garden in bloom again with 'Bridges' garden

Mon, Aug 12th 2019 12:45 pm

ADA-accessible interactive musical installation now open

The Artpark Percussion Garden is annually in bloom. Each year, new interactive installations come to life and add a fresh dimension to the scenic area of the park. The latest piece is a sculptural collaboration titled “The Artpark Bridges Garden.” It opened Monday with a celebration for the project creators.

“The Artpark Bridges Garden” is a painted pyramid sculpture that incorporates different types of percussion instruments with a surrounding garden of greenery and flowers. The garden was created in a collaborative effort of participants from the “Artpark Bridges” community engagement program, including People Inc., Empower, artist Brian Nacov and landscape designer Andrew Palinski.

The concept of the piece was born out of a conversation between Artpark and Empower, desiring to give participants of the “Artpark Bridges” program something they can call their own and serve as a retreat when they visit the park.

“Too often in the contemporary world we forget how we impact one another,” said Tanis Winslow, director of visual arts and family programs at Artpark & Company. “It’s important to remember that we are all a part of this world. We all want to be a part of something bigger than ourselves and to create something out of shared experiences.”

The “Artpark Bridges” program was created so participants can connect, empower and create. The year-round community engagement program is dedicated to providing the larger Western New York population with empowerment, integration, healing and creative expression tools through drama, art therapy and interactive initiatives.

Artpark Executive Director Sonia Clark said, “ ‘Artpark Bridges’ grew out of Artpark’s historic production of ‘The Odyssey’ last year where we initiated new relationships with organizations like People Inc., Empower, Buffalo Department of Education and so many others. It is wonderful to see this program now bloom into a all-around art, music and year-long meaningful engagement with our multifaceted and powerful community.”

As part of “Artpark Bridges” this summer, Artpark teaching artists Griffin Brady, Connor Caso and Cynthia Pegado worked with Buffalo Public Schools Adult Education Division – ESL program, People Inc. and Empower in a series of weekly workshops and projects.

Each element of the Artpark Percussion Garden presents playful opportunities for visitors to explore the different ways to interact and produce sound while posing curious questions on the nature of a performance, music-making and relationships within the natural environment of the park.

Additional pieces include “Gong Temple,” with musical architecture study by William Close; “Chime Sprouts” by Vanessa Lee Jackson; “Beat Blossom” by Shasti O'Leary Soudant in collaboration with Cyro Baptista; “Chime Tree” by David Cossin; and “Lawn Chair” by Tanis Winslow, Stephanie Kowalski, Jasper Reese and The Adventure Department.

The Percussion Garden was made possible by a gift from the Charles D. and Mary A. Bauer Foundation, with drumsticks provided by RegalTip.

“The Artpark Bridges Garden” was designed by Andrew Palinski. The pyramid and its instruments were conceived and installed by Nacov. The mural on the pyramid was designed and painted by artists from The Arts Experience of People Inc., including Jonnathan Mercado, Avery Gill, Royce Walczak, Theresa Woody, Rachel Olszewski, Sarah Schmidt, Keller Vogelsang, Alex May, Mary Ann Gregory and People Inc. staffers Anne Paulk and Justin Leis. Paint was donated by Hyatt’s All Things Creative.

The plants that surround the installation are all native perennials provided by Russell’s Tree and Shrub Farm. The garden is Americans with Disabilities Act-accessible, thanks to granite donated by International Stone Gallery of Lockport.

“The Artpark Bridges Garden” is supported, in part, by the Charles D. and Mary A. Bauer Foundation, WGRZ-TV Channel 2 and Tegna Foundation, Teresa Williams, Thomas Donahower, Joseph Certo, Jeffrey and Marla Williams, Betty Szatkowski, Anthony Cipolla, Paulette M. Crooke, Roger Trevino, Joe Brown, Nancy DiBacco, Michael Vitch, Mary Powell, Kelly Turner, Greg Schlaich, Jerome P. Brydges and family, David Barnes, Michele O. Heffernan, Jean Gaulin, Mike Schott, Maureen Schmitt, Thomas B. Burrows, Maureen Schmitt, Chester Spivey, Nick Langworthy, Adam Burns, Susan Royal, New York State Sen. Robert G. Ortt, Carol Calato, Michael Tunkey, Melissa Brydges, Margaret Nucci, Kelly Schultz, Glenn Hart, George Tysowsky, Erin Turner, Eric White, Elizabeth Brydges, Donna and JT Tomkins, Dave and Susan Wedekindt, Carol Mack, Barbara Rizzo, Andrew Brydges and Suzanne Diffine.

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