The Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden sits along the banks of the Arkansas River and seamlessly blends into Riverfront Park in Little Rock, Arkansas. Featuring numerous sculptures amidst natural terraces and constructed walkways, the Sculpture Garden showcases how the imagination of artists and stakeholders can be combined to create a monument that attracts activity in numerous ways.
A Movement to Place Public Art in Downtown Little Rock
Resulting from the combined efforts of the Sculpture at the River Market and the Vogel Schwartz Foundation, the Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden was created in 2009 with funds donated by the foundation. It was the result of a movement by city leaders to place numerous pieces of public art in downtown Little Rock.
The natural terraces and walkways of the garden enable visitors to engage with the many sculptures in countless ways. A map highlights the location of all the pieces, all of which are different sizes and depict numerous subjects that range from whimsical to serious. Many of them have been positioned to form various outdoor “rooms” that house sculptures created by artists from all over the United States and from Arkansas.
Figurative sculptures like “Breaking the Cycle” shows a boy pushing a man in a wheelbarrow that flips the role of a parent and child. “Old Ringneck” is a bronze portrait of a Native American artifact that is thousands of years old. “Retro Trees” is an abstract sculpture designed to be whimsical, iconic and easily recognizable. “Steady” is a sculpture of local civic leader local Bill Clark who is most recognized for his work on the Clinton Presidential Center.
These are just a few of the sculptures that have come to define the Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden and the variety of experiences that visitors can have across the space. The distinctiveness and variety it contains has allowed the Sculpture Garden to make a positive impact on the culture and economy of Little Rock.
On and Part of the Arkansas Riverwalk
In becoming an essential element of Riverfront Park, the Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden has been able to provide additional experiences to audiences that come to the area to visit Junction Bridge or La Petite Roche Plaza. Residents and visitors can find that much more to see at the Sculpture Garden, while anyone focused on the Sculpture Garden will find themselves exposed to these additional sights and landmarks. The seamless integration of these multiple landmarks has allowed people to enjoy the entire area that connects them to the community.
That connection has been further enabled with the Women’s Suffrage Centennial Plaza, which was created in celebration of the 100th anniversary of Arkansas adopting the 19th Amendment and resides in the middle of the Sculpture Garden. These elements have helped it to attract tourists to Little Rock and there are several groups of tour guides who take people through the sculptures. These guides highlight the numerous pieces and tell the stories behind their creation.
Designed with space to host receptions, weddings and various other activities, the Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden has been the site of countless community events. One of the most notable is the annual Sculpture in the River Market event, which features pieces by sculptors from all over the United States. Pieces selected by a committee are added to the Sculpture Garden each year, further cultivating the connection with the surrounding community.
Sculpture at the River Market welcomes monetary donations, including memorial gifts and honorariums for special friends that help fund new pieces of sculpture for the collection. Some of the donors and supporters are memorialized with their names on and around the central plaza.
Described as an ideal place for planners of various community events, the Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden is also a place where individuals can enjoy the natural and artistic surroundings. This variety of experiences has allowed the Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden to have a profound impact on the downtown area of Little Rock and become a retreat in the middle of the city that continues to make a positive impact.
Enjoyment, Peace, Tranquility and Civility
Ever since it was installed, the Vogel Schwartz Sculpture Garden has grown in size and the collection of sculptures on display within its has increased steadily. This growth has allowed it to go beyond the original confines to become more immersed in the urban surroundings. Doing so has contributed to the Sculpture Garden being a place that has been described as giving enjoyment, peace, tranquility and civility to the whole city of Little Rock.
