Mayor Pat Patterson addresses the crowd Thursday at the ribbon-cutting of the Yokna-Sculpture Trail.
The Yokna Sculpture Trail was unveiled in a ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception Thursday at Lamar Park.
The rotating outdoor sculpture program is the first of its kind in north Mississippi, and includes a total of 18 sculptures at three locations in Oxford. Five of the sculptures are located at Rebel Sculpture Park in front of Meek Hall, nine at Lamar Park and four at the Powerhouse Sculpture Garden.
Director of Yoknapatawpha Arts Wayne Andrews co-founded the Yokna Sculpture Trail with Earl Dismuke and Durant Thompson.
“It was a chance discussion that brought three groups together,” Andrews said. “The talks of expanding public art in the community had been occurring over the last three years with members of the art department (at the university), the Arts Council, the university museum and the city of Oxford.”
The timeliness of these discussions, Andrews said, is what led to their success.
“The City of Oxford wanted a partner who could manage the program if they could provide structures, while the University of Mississippi Department of Art wanted to engage their students in a broader experience, while the Arts Council was seeking to expand community art programs,” Andrews said. “Through all these talks with community members such as Earl Dismuke, Durant Thompson the sculpture instructor, the mayor and aldermen and the Arts Council, we found a partnership that worked.”
Dismuke, a sculptor and Oxford local since 2002, stressed the significance of that partnership.
“This could not have been done without the city, the university and the Yoknapatawpha Arts Council all working together,” Dismuke said.
Dismuke said a national call to artists resulted in 15 sculptors contributing art to the trail from a variety of locations, including, but not limited to, Oxford, Hattiesburg and even New York City. The sculptures, according to Andrews, are on loan and for sale.
Visitor services coordinator for Visit Oxford Katie Kaiser said tourists have begun asking about the trail.
“The Yokna Sculpture Trail is already enticing visitors to want to see more of Oxford’s attractions,” Kaiser said. “The outdoor sculptures add a colorful feature to the three locations, and they stir curiosity in locals and visitors alike. Oxford is becoming more and more of an artsy community, and these sculptures feed that interest.”
Andrews said being the first north Mississippi town to feature such a program “reinforces our community as a leader in the arts.” He said this sculpture trail also benefits the community of Oxford by providing easy and public access to art.
“We have wonderful art spaces and museums in the community, but they can be intimidating,” Andrews said. “If you have never been across the threshold, going the first time might be uncomfortable. Placing art throughout the community offers every resident a chance to discover and experience art.”
Dismuke recognized yet another benefit of the sculpture trail.
“I think it can help be an economic driver for this reason: one of three reasons businesses move to communities is because of the quality of life,” Dismuke said. “I think this project adds to the quality of life here in Oxford. I think that’s number one.”
