"Imagine hearing from a would-be tourist of Kentucky, sometime in the not-too-distant future, the startling observation that they came here not for the horses, but for the sculptures.
Sprinkling the works of students of the University of Kentucky sculpture program throughout the community as public art is the vision of Dr. David Dubocq, himself a student of UK associate professor Garry Bibbs, the inspiration that lead him to create the Lexington Extraordinary Art Project (LEAP). Dubocq's goal is to enrich the Lexington community with privately funded, publicly displayed artwork.
Dr. Dubocq's plan is to build 50 permanently placed sculptures all around the city on the order of "Horse Mania." In the process, UK arts students get their first exposure to the commissioning experience which, in turn, benefits efforts by the university to recruit top students.
And, in the end, Lexington receives an interesting visual wrinkle for the delight and pleasure of residents and visitors alike.
The 2006 LEAP contest was held on Oct. 26 at the Lexington Diagnostic Center, where this year's sponsoring patron, Dr. George Privett, wanted to install something interesting on the front lawn.
Contestants presented their proposed sculptures to a juried panel consisting of Stephen Rolfe Powell, an internationally renowned glass artist and the H.W. Stodghill Jr. and Adele H. Stodghill Professor of Art at Centre College; UK alumnus Tony Higdon and Erika Strecker, sculptors/blacksmiths from Lexington and owners of IronHorse Forge and Higdon-Strecker Gallery; Charles Barnhart, architect and principal at Sherman Carter Barnhart architecture firm, who designed the Lexington Diagnostic Center; and Deborah Drury, the interior designer for the Lexington Diagnostic Center.
The winner, Luke Achterberg, a graduate student in sculpture in the university's MFA program, received a first prize award of $500 as well as a $3000 commission from Dr. Privett to install his 16-foot work, "Getting back up."
The impact of the LEAP project is already in evidence. Last year's competition resulted in commissions for two sculptures, installed at the Family Practice Associates of Lexington located at 1775 Alysheba Way. Another has been commissioned and will be built in the near future. Two other sculptures from that competition are being considered for a commission to be built as joint fundraisers for two Lexington charitable organizations.
Dubocq described the competition as a win-win-win. It enables the businesses who sponsor sculptures to display quality artwork; the artists win public recognition and exposure for their work, as well as hands-on experience in the commissioning process; and Lexington receives multiple large-scale sculptures that culturally enrich the community and are a source of enjoyment for residents and tourists alike.
Look for more information on this ongoing effort in future editions of Business Lexington."