An Environmental Art Installation
by Ben Roth and Brad Watsabaugh

Capturing the raw beauty in what would otherwise be devastated forestry; artists Ben Roth and Brad Watsabaugh have transformed an area of Ford Park into an exceptional environmental art installation. The artists dissected standing-dead lodgepole pine trees longitudinally from root to top by hand with chainsaws. They then created benches with the remaining halves of the split trees. The result is 90 degree structures arranged in an interactive and engaging pattern for the viewer. This is an opportunity to examine the growth of a tree and of branches in the entirety of a tree’s life. The characteristic bluestaining left by the fungus carried by the beetle that ultimately kills the lodgepole pine is visible in these exposed trees. The relocated trees which were felled in East Vail stand nearly 50 feet tall. AIPP greatly appreciates the generous assistance of A Cut Above Forestry, the Wildland Firefighting Division of the Vail Fire Department and Vail’s Public Works for realizing this major installation project. A celebratory opening for this major environmental artistic feat will take place on July 10th at the installation site in Ford Park.

Steve Tobin – Steelroots Sculptures

The roots of nature are exhibited with the extended loan of two Steelroots sculptures by internationally renowned artist Steve Tobin of Pennsylvania. With nature as Tobin’s greatest influence, his monumental sculptures of stylized roots entwine the viewer in their natural sinuous maze. We are honored to have Tobin’s work on loan in Vail.

A Public Art Exhibition coming to Vail - Winter 2010/2011

Town of Vail - Inspired by similar public art exhibitions, the Town of Vail’s Art in Public Places is planning a Sustainable Art Sled exhibition next winter season.

In order to make this event a success we are asking for assistance from within our community. If you have a wooden sled gathering dust, we would like to request the donation of your unused sled for the purposes of this exhibition. We are particularly interested in wooden Flexible Flyers or toboggans. Community involvement will be vital to ensuring the success of the exhibition.

Promoting art, sustainability, creativity, recreation and community, the sleds will be decorated by artists and on view in various locations throughout Vail. Highlighting local culture and other relevant themes, the sleds will be a vibrant addition to our winter season.

We will come collect your sled at your convenience or you may deliver it to the Colorado Ski & Snowboard Museum located at the parking structure in Vail Village. At the end of the exhibition, the sleds will be sold with a portion of the proceeds going to fund future art programs in Vail.

If you are an artist interested in participating in the Art Sled exhibition with access to a sled or for further details, please contact Molly Eppard at 970-479-2344 or meppard@vailgov.com.

FREE EXHIBIT AND TOURS

Tikkun Olam: Repairing the World, an interactive art project created by Denver artist Christy Honigman in collaboration with the Mizel Museum, to “promote inter-cultural respect and awareness, and to provide a way to engage the community to work for social justice, peace, freedom, equality and the restoration of the environment.”

As one of the Mizel Museum's Bridges of Understanding programs, Honigman’s collaborative art project recruited 54 participants from 27 countries to offer their inspired visions of Tikkun Olam of individually illustrated panels installed on 12 seven-foot high columns.

The free exhibition is open to the public daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. weekdays.

The Vail Interfaith Chapel is located at 19 Vail Road. A schedule of guided tours and educational events is available from B'nai Vail by calling 970-477-2992.

Begins June 1, 2009

Featuring sculpture from the "Arc" series by acclaimed French artist
Bernar Venet whose work has been exhibited worldwide
Ford Park, Vail

View the Summer of Sculpture Brochure

Begins June 1, 2009

Four beautifully crafted steel sculptures created by George Tobolowsky in the modernist tradition will bookmark International Bridge. The sculptures are made completely from recycled and found objects.