The public is invited to a free panel presentation on outdoor sculpture in the Utica-Rome area Wednesday, September 14 at 6 p.m. in the Utica Public Library Gallery. Speakers include professional sculptor Jonathan Kirk; Michael Bosak, President, The Landmarks Society; Mary Rizzo Bonney, VP of Communications for Griffiss International Sculpture Garden, and Sydney Waller, moderator and Executive Director of Sculpture Space.

Panelists will address different aspects of the topic, from saving and caring for historic outdoor sculpture to designing for specific sites, longevity and other considerations when installing contemporary art outdoors.

Guests will also have the opportunity to purchase a special Landmarks publication about sculptures in the area authored by art historian Rand Carter, which helps visitors plan their own self-guided tours of sculpture around Utica, including in its historic cemeteries. The cameo booklet features sculpture found in the community through the mid-1980s.

The evening program accompanies the special 35th anniversary photography exhibition, “Celebrating Sculpture/ Celebrating Place” on view in the Library’s 2nd floor gallery through September 28, curated by Virginia Kelly, art historian and former board member of Landmarks and Sculpture Space.

The informative show depicts 19th and early 20th century sculpture around town as well as recent contemporary pieces. Sculpture Space, the area’s international studio program, organized the show as part of its year-long 35th anniversary celebration, in a cultural collaboration that includes the Central New York Conservancy, The Landmarks Society of Greater Utica, Danella Photographic, Downtown Utica Development Association, Utica College, Utica Monday Nite, the Munson-Williams-Proctor Museum of Art, and the Oneida County Historical Society.

“We hope this project will increase awareness of the rich, distinguished and still growing collection of outdoor sculpture which enriches urban vistas and park settings in the Greater Utica-Rome region,” noted Sydney Waller, Executive Director of Sculpture Space

Photographers featured in the exhibition include Michael Bosak, Cynthia Alde, Steven Max, Val De Visser and Larry Pacilio, from Utica; Lynne Browne (Rome), Ann Reichlin (Ithaca) and Jamie Young (Syracuse). Both color and black and white images are on display, as well as historical prints from the Historical Society.

The greater Utica-Rome area includes a wealth of sculpture in public spaces, including but not limited to Utica College campus, Utica Parks system, Memorial Parkway, Utica City Hall, James and Oneida Street Parks, cemeteries, Masonic campus, area around Union Station, and the Oriskany Monument.

The exhibition will be on view during library hours through September 28. Library hours are M-F 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 8:30-5 p.m., Sunday 1-5 p.m.

For further information please contact 315-724-8381 or info@sclturespace.org.