Photo: Kopp Construction and Fraser Town staff move “Ribbon Dance” in to place.   Photo by Casey Malon

The Town of Fraser arts scene has picked up the pace in the past few weeks. The Town’s Public Arts Committee (PAC) has sanctioned 9 murals and 3 sculptures, some of which have already been placed and completed.

On Friday, May 25th, the Town’s first sculpture, the cast-bronze “Ribbon Dance” by artist Kendra Fleischman, was placed in the circle just south of the Grand Park Recreation Center. Town staff and the Kopp Construction crew moved the sculpture from the back of the delivery trailer to the concrete pedestal, and it truly “took a village” to get it into place.

PAC member, Ken Ball, was on-hand to ensure the 450 pound art piece was safely mounted in to place. Ball has been instrumental in identifying and shepherding the artists. He described the sculpture’s development, from tabletop model to creating the mold, which is actually several pieces, limited by the weight of the bronze, and used to form the cast. Ball said “It’s very exciting when you go to the foundry with the blast furnace running, and, when they shut it off, I get goosebumps, knowing they’re about to pour the bronze”.

On Tuesday, May 29, “Otterly Pointless”, by artist Pati Stensjac was placed on the south side of the Fraser Historic Church, and, “Breaking Through” by artist Ken Robb was placed in Goranson Station.

The sculptures come to the Town on a consignment arrangement with the 3 artists and will be displayed for a period of one year.  The sculptures are for sale, and it is hoped that generous benefactors may purchase the artwork and leave them where they are, on permanent display, but the option of moving them to another location is also an alternative. As you can imagine, the artists would like the pieces to sell, instead of “sitting around in their studio” said Ball.

Part of the Town’s “Art in Public Places” grant program, the cost to the Town was minimal. Town Manager, Jeff Durbin, estimated the cost at $5,000. Local business owners Barry and Debbie Young donated the concrete, and, Jack Kopp of Kopp Construction, donated the labor and materials to construct the sculpture bases at the three locations. Kopp’s and Town staff worked together to set the pieces on to their platforms and secure them in to place.

About the artists:

“Ribbon Dance” by Kendra Fleischman

Colorado native Kendra Fleischman began her art journey at Colorado State University where she earned a degree in sculpture in 1987. Over the past 31 years she has worked as a professional artist, developing a unique and recognizable style. Her work is described by viewers as expressive, moving, inspirational and innovative. Kendra is a diverse artist working in several medias including new media s in electronic art as well as traditional media such as painting, drawing, and sculpture. She is developing new combinations of sculpture and new media that push the boundaries of traditional art expression.

Fleischman told the Winter Park Times, “I am very excited to have “Ribbon Dance” included in the inaugural year of the Fraser Public Art Program. Art on loan programs are a wonderful way for artists to display their work and share their creations with different communities. It is encouraging to see the people of Fraser taking action to bring the arts to their town!”.

Her Sculptural work ranges in size from intimate to monumental. You can find her monumental pieces in notable public collections such as the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities in Arvada, Colorado, the Lakewood Cultural Center in Lakewood, Colorado, Fountain Hills Community Center in Fountain Hills, Arizona and Benson Sculpture Garden in Loveland, Colorado.  Her monumental works are also installed on university and college campuses across the country including North Central Michigan College, Western Kentucky University, Butler Community College in Eldorado, Kansas, Wyoming Seminary Preparatory School in Kingston, Pennsylvania and the Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, Colorado. Her work is also part of the private collections of George Gradow and Barbie Benton, Craig Ponzio and Gene Worrell.

Kendra has been a featured artist in Southwest Art Magazine’s book titled Sculpture of the Rockies, Sculptural Pursuit Magazine, and was the subject of a television video documentary about her creation of the sculpture “Dancing on the Stairs” for the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities. She is a member of the National Sculpture Society and Association Internationale du Film d’Animation. Her diverse use of sculpture and new media was recently recognized and awarded an honorable mention by Cristoph Heinrich, contemporary art curator at the Denver Art Museum.

To find out more about Kendra, visit her website: kfleischman.com.

“Otterly Pointless”by Pati Stajcar

Born and raised in Southeastern Pennsylvania and now living in Golden, Colorado, Pati Stajcar works in wood, bronze and marble creating sculpture for the tabletop, college campus, garden or entryway. “I’m excited that Fraser is starting the sculpture walk program”, said artist Pati Stajcar.  “These are very popular not only with the locals but it brings in more tourism dollars. I’ve seen these programs turn local economies around as the city becomes a destination to view art in public places.”

She has received national recognition for her sculpture and regularly participates in exhibitions nationwide. She is an elected member of Academic Artists Association, Allied Artists of America, the Bennington Collection, National Sculpture Society and Society of Animal Artists.

Permanent monumental placements include; Greeley Colorado Water Works, Jupiter Florida City Hall, Lenexa Kansas Police station, and Cypress Gardens in Winter Gardens Florida, just to name a few.

“Life’s experiences reflect themselves in my sculpture. Energy, flowing from and around each form, guides the gift I present to you. Each design begins and ends in abstract but blends with the representation. Flow and balance are my subject matter expressed through nature.

I encourage you to run your hands over my work to understand the feeling I have when I create a piece. I hope you share in the experience from my heart to yours.”

To find out more about Pati, visit her website: stajcar.com

“Breaking Through” by Kevin Robb

Over the past three decades, renowned Colorado metal sculptor Kevin Robb has made his mark on the national and international art scene. With a unique style and consummate welding quality that have defined and differentiate his work, Kevin’s sculptures are not created according to a set plan. The placement of each element is an answer to a question of relationships, which he discovers as the work is in progress. He becomes one with the metal and intuitively knows the precise twists and turns that will be required to achieve the desired result of a dynamic contemporary sculpture.

Today, Kevin Robb creates contemporary stainless steel sculptures and bronze sculptures, magnificent works crafted by Kevin since he suffered a massive stroke in 2004. He arrives daily in the studio with his slow, cane assisted walk and limited vocabulary of about 100 words and works diligently with the men that have been hired to be his hands.  Kevin directs the staff in every cut, angle, curve and weld. He’s like a maestro in the studio demanding the sculptures be created according to his vision as well as maintaining the high quality craftsmanship his reputation is built upon.

Although he has been challenged physically, Kevin continues to create the sculptures that he loves so much. His ideas remain free flowing and his commitment to quality is as high as ever—with a resolve that offers a physical testament to the dedication, expertise, and amazing recovery of this remarkable artist.

To find out more about Kevin, visit his website: kevinrobb.com