Art park to celebrate “Gateway to Black Eden” sculpture

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Image for Art Park to celebrate Gateway to Black Eden is of the sculpture installed atop a leaf-covered hill in fall with yellow and green leaves of trees and their gray trunks behind the artwork. It is an arch made of metal pieces welded together whose shapes relate to slavery and motifs of other topics. Photo courtesy of Michigan Legacy Art Park.

“A Gateway to Black Eden”, a sculpture by M. Saffell Gardner, can be found at the Michigan Legacy Art Park in Thompsonville. Photo courtesy of Michigan Legacy Art Park.

From a news announcement

THOMPSONVILLE — A weekend of events is planned for June 28-29 at the Michigan Legacy Art Park to celebrate the newest sculpture to be included in the park’s permanent art collection. The work “Gateway to Black Eden” by artist M. Saffell Gardner is inspired by the history of the Black community in Idlewild, Michigan.

Those interested in sculpture, jazz and the history of Idlewild are encouraged to attend the events.

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Kicking off the weekend will be a special Summer Sounds music series concert taking place 7-9 p.m., Friday, June 28, in the park’s amphitheater. The scheduled performers are Grammy-nominated Marion Hayden and her group, Legacy. The ensemble will share “original works rooted in Black American music traditions, with special emphasis on narrative compositions exploring themes of social justice, community restoration and healing,” according to a description found on the art park’s website.

Cost of the tickets to Friday’s concert are $15 in advance and $20 at the door and may be purchased HERE.

Admission to the park is free on Saturday, June 29.  The day’s events will begin at 9:30 a.m. with a drop-in art project, followed by a family-friendly brown bag lunch and concert at 11:30 a.m. with Marion Hayden and Legacy. The group will share the history of jazz music with the audience.

Following the concert will be an artist’s talk at 12:30 p.m. by sculptor M. Saffell Gardner. The artist will discuss his sculpture and its connection to the history of Idlewild, Michigan.

The nonprofit Michigan Legacy Art Park, on the grounds of Crystal Mountain resort, combines Michigan art, history and culture in an outdoor setting. The park offers its annual Summer Sounds concert series as well as guided seasonal hikes, artist residencies, art projects for children, collaborative community projects, fundraising activities and more.  For more information, go to: https://michlegacyartpark.org.

Read more about about the “Gateway to Eden” sculpture and its maker:
Idlewild inspires new sculpture for Michigan Legacy Art Park

Read more about Michigan Legacy Art Park:
Michigan Legacy Art Park: not just a walk in the woods
Art park begins ‘Michigan Blue’ installation

Read more stories about Idlewild — its history, community members and events — HERE.

 

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