Don't like Menasha's 'hideous' sculptures? Well, they're free and will be gone after two years
A man with two dogs walks past the sculpture "Depth of Form" at Jefferson Park in Menasha. The piece was chosen to "represent the undulating nature of the seasons and reflect the complexity of currents of the Fox River as it flows out into Lake Winnebago," according to ACREofART. (Photo: Wm. Glasheen/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)
Question: Who is behind the hideous statues or sculptures that are being put up in Menasha? They're an eyesore if there ever was one. They don't fit the environment. How much did that cost taxpayers?
Answer: The objects are part of Sculpture Valley's ACREofART project, which is now in its third season. Ten new pieces will be installed this year: four in Menasha, five in Appleton and one in Neenah. They will remain on public display for two years, after which they will be available for purchase.
Alex Schultz, executive director of Sculpture Valley, a nonprofit arts advocacy group in the Fox Cities, said the sculptures are privately sponsored, so they aren't a burden on taxpayers.
"Prairie Song Q," located at Shepard Park in Menasha, is painted earth-brown. The red segments represent "the energy of life on the prairie and the explosion of its growth in the spring," according to ACREofART. (Photo: Wm. Glasheen/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)
Menasha is home to five ACREofART sculptures:
"Stranger Reduction Zone" by artist Timothy C. Flood. It is located at 201 Main St. and was installed in 2018.
"Depth of Form" by artist Jacob Burmood. It is located at Jefferson Park and is a new installation this year.
"Prairie Song Q" by artist Guy J. Bellaver. It is located at Shepard Park and is a new installation this year.
"Midsummer Gate" by artist Carl Billingsly. It is located on the Gilbert Trail and is a new installation this year.
"Flip Flop" by artist Michael Grucza. It will be installed soon, if it isn't in place already, at 7 Main St. in front of the former Brin Building. It will replace a piece by artist Ryan M. Lamfers titled "Make It Rain," which will be moved to Fox Crossing.
As for the art being "hideous," Schultz said beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
"It's up to the individual to ascertain what they like and what they don't like," he said. "The benefit of doing the sculptural program the way we do it is you only have to live with it for two years. If you really dislike it, it's not like you're looking at the 'Oracle,' which is here permanently in Appleton. It's two years, and it's gone."
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Schultz said if people fall in love with a sculpture after two years, they can start a movement to purchase the artwork to keep it in the community.
The ACREofART pieces are chosen from a pool of applications by a jury of artists. Schultz then works to find sponsors and hosts for the art. His role as executive director of Sculpture Valley is an unpaid position.
"The community pays nothing. The taxpayers pay nothing. And I get paid nothing," he said. "If people understand what goes into this, maybe they would have a slightly different appreciation for the artwork that we choose."
The free smartphone app Otocast describes each of the sculptures that are a part of the ACREofART project. It identifies the title, artist, sponsor and location of each piece and provides a statement by the artist.
The app, though, hasn't been updated with the latest installments. Schultz said that will happened in the next month or so.
Post-Crescent reporter Duke Behnke answers your questions about local government. Send questions to dbehnke@gannett.com or call him at 920-993-7176.