Do-It Best Hardware.
By Pat Maurer
Correspondent
On May 10th, the “Destination Clare: Art Sculpture Walk” opened in downtown Clare.
The project was the brain child of local artist Jeff Best, whose sculpture of “The Conductor” greets visitors to the historic Clare Union Depot which now houses the Clare County Arts Council headquarters, the Clare Area Chamber of Commerce, a gift shop and headquarters for visitor’s information and even a “Railroad Museum.”
“We couldn’t have done it without him,” Clare County Arts Council member Carol Crawford said.
After more than a year in the planning stages, the new walking tour now features 10 art sculptures placed throughout the downtown area that were crafted by artists from all over Michigan and the Midwest.
Fundraising was so successful that the CCAC, who originally planned to try and buy one of the 10 to keep in the community, was able to buy four that will remain in the City for everyone to enjoy.
The project was not planned as just a summer attraction for the community, but an outdoor year-round interactive art sculpture display with each sculpture displaying information about the piece and a QR code enabling the viewer to learn more about the artist and their artwork, and also enabled each visitor to pick their top choice for the “People’s Choice Award.”
The sculptures were placed in the downtown area of Clare the first of May and will remain on their pedestals until next April. Those not sold will be removed by the artist. Viewers also voted for their favorite throughout the summer months and the “People’s Choice” winner was selected this fall and as the favorite of the ten, earned the sculptor a $1,000 prize.
A “Patronicity Challenge” that began a year ago through the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), raised $25,000, funds that were matched by the MEDC.
With the support of community, both with funds and in-kind, after expenses, the Clare County Arts Council (CCAC) was able to pick four of the “Destination Clare: Art Sculpture Walk” sculptures. They were purchased for a total of $16,500.
The four that were purchased were “Baitball” by David Riemer of Wausaukee, Wisconsin; “Seek Alternative Route” by David Patrakovitz of Cadillac; “The Bee” by Jim Edwards of Harrison; and “Hypnotic Spear,” a collaborative effort by the Clare-Gladwin Regional Education School District’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) welding program.
Reimer was the $1,000 “Peoples’ Choice” winner announced this fall. His “Bait Ball,” which moves gracefully with the slightest breeze, is constructed of brass and copper, a medium Reimer says he has been using for 20 years. “I first became interested in kinetic work in 2001 while traveling through the west. From the highway you can see various contraptions that ranchers set up to catch the wind in order to power pumps to fill the cattle troughs with well water.” He said he was impressed with “so many different kinds of materials” they used to construct them. His fascinating moving sculpture “Bait Ball” is located in front of the Doherty Hotel.
“Seek Alternate Route,” Petrakovitz’s sculpture, is made of welded and powder coated steel. He said, “I want my work to be a spark for conservation, playful and surprising in form and color when encountered.” The sculpture – “Seek Alternate Route” can be seen in front of Clare Do-It Best Hardware in downtown Clare.
Edwards’ presentation, “The Bee” was inspired by Harrison Community School’s mascot, Jim said. “The Bee” was my very first attempt at creating a metal sculpture.” He said when he was sick and could not work, “I thought that if I could make something out of metal to stay busy, it would help me feel better [both] physically and mentally.” He said the sale of his piece will finance moving his workshop from Sanford to his home, where he will continue to create unique pieces. “The Bee” can be viewed just north of the Whitehouse Restaurant in downtown Clare.
Finally, “Hypnotic Sphere” was created when students from the 2021-2022 Clare-Gladwin Career Technical Education (CTE) Welding program collaborated, utilizing three artistic mediums to create it: heating and bending steel, steel sculpting and the incorporation of strap stainless steel punches to form the beautiful creation. The class is one of 10 CTE programs offered to dual enrolled high school students, offering them the opportunity to learn the skill of welding. The welding program is a partnership between Mid Michigan College and the RESD. “Hypnotic Sphere” is located in front of Isabella Bank.
The four purchased sculptures, along with the other six, will remain in place as part of the Walk until April 2023, when new sculptures will take their places for the second year. The CCAC is already seeking artists for the second year of the Destination Clare: Art Sculpture Walk.
Next April, the four sculptures purchased will also be moved and placed in new permanent locations around the City. Locations will be determined at a coming CCAC meeting, said committee member Carol Crawford.
The remaining six sculptures on display until next April are for sale. They include:
“The Single Twist” by Mary Angers of Long Branch, New Jersey. It is located in front of Clare’s Uptown Lofts;
“A Portrait of Dali” by Ian Humphres of Harrison. It is located in front of Ray’s Bike Shop.
“Pluma Sculpture ‘The Feather’” is by Kirk Seese of Lutherville-Timonium, Maryland;
“Icosahedron” also by Kirk Seese, is located at MyMichigan Health, just north of downtown Clare;
“Time” by Kelly O’Neill of Brighton is located in front of Edward Jones at the corner of McEwan and Fourth; and
“White Tail” by Jason LaDoux of Alma. The sculpture, a deer made from car hoods and scrap sheet metal, is placed in front of Schumacher Agency in downtown Clare.
Contact the CCAC (headquartered at the Clare Union Depot on Fourth Street) if interested, or email CCAC President Carol J. Santini at cjsantini72@gmail.com.
These sculptures will be in place only until Spring 2023 when they will be rotated to showcase new pieces of art for another year-long event.
There is no charge to enjoy these amazing works of art, but be prepared to walk the short distance between them, the CCAC said.
And, if you are feeling adventurous, there are additional art work displays located around Clare that you might enjoy, such as a beautiful Art Alley, The fabulous and unique Depression Era Walking Art Tour, the historic Clare Union Railroad Depot and railroad museum and much more.
The new Art Sculpture Walk would not have been possible without the generous support of community businesses and individuals.
There have been many donors who have supported this project in a variety of ways and it has all been important in bringing this project to life, the committee said.
For more information go to www.clarecountyartscouncil.info, or pick up a brochure at the historic Clare Union Railroad Depot located at 201 W. Fourth Street, Clare, MI.