MIDDLETOWN >> After receiving notification that Trailside Park is not yet ready for the public, EcoArts of Lake County moved the outdoor sculpture exhibit to the Middletown Art Center for the season.
The exhibit is expected to open June 17.
Trailside Park, along with many of last season’s art, suffered badly during the Valley Fire. With the grounds recovering, the Sculpture Walk had been slated to open on June 5 at the park with an 18 piece exhibit. Recently, however, the County Parks & Recreation Department notified the arts non-profit that the park will not be ready to receive the public in time for this year’s event. EcoArts and MAC fully agree with the decision.
The 107-acre Trailside Park, located at Highway 175 and Dry Creek Cutoff, remains closed for the foreseeable future.
“After being notified by the County, we spent time looking at options and other sites,” explained Karen Turcotte, founder of EcoArts of Lake County. “Some of the works were very specific to the park and involved ecologic stewardship, so they won’t be realized until sometime in the future. We are encouraged that county has expressed their desire for the Sculpture Walk to come back to the Trailside Park in future years. The Park needs healing and restoration. There has been a lot of ‘reacting’ to the fire and this park closure provides time to formulate plans and ‘act’ in the best interests of this wonderful property.”
Many of the sculptures anticipated at the Trailside Park will now be exhibited at and around the Middletown Art Center grounds.
“Our location provides a wonderful opportunity for sculptures to be displayed in downtown Middletown. We’ll have the outdoor exhibit up in time for Middletown Days on June 17th,” said MAC Director Lisa Kaplan.
The public is invited to a festive opening reception for EcoArts at Middletown Art Center and for the next MAC exhibit, Multi Lingual, featuring musical and spoken word performances by Edgewise and Lake County Poets on June 25 from 6 to 8 p.m.
MAC is located at 21456 Highway 175 (at Highway 29 in downtown Middletown).
To find out more about the exhibits and classes offered at the Middletown Art Center, please visit www.MiddletownArtCenter.org; www.facebook.com/ARTMiddletown; email — Middletownartcenter@gmail.com, call 707-809-8118 or visit at 21456 Highway 175 at Highway 29 in Middletown.
