Art & Sculpture #1: Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park Plus 4 More Midwest Sculpture Parks

Exposing children to art can be so much more than giving them a box of crayons and paper.  Why not immerse them in art such as taking them to a play, concert, or sculpture park?

Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park, Photo by Krenda

I count my children fortunate to have lived near Hamilton, Ohio - (a small town north of Cincinnati).  In 2000 the Ohio govenor declared Hamilton "The City of Sculpture".  You'll find sculptures throughout the city.  My kids and I especially enjoyed "Lentil" in the downtown.  It's a sculpture of a boy marching through town with his harmonica and dog created by Nancy Schon.  It's extra special because it has a local connection - it's based upon a 1940's children's book by Hamilton native Robert McCloskey.  To see other sculptures around town, check out the Hamilton city website:

http://cityofsculpture.org/Sculptures.aspx

I counted Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park, a 265 acre park filled with trees and sculptures, as Hamilton's hidden treasure.  It's up a hill right off State Route 128, don't give up on finding the entrance.  Check out the website for address & contact info I especially enjoyed the large sculpture "Cincinnati Story" by George Sugarman.  Not only is it beautiful art, it is also located in a beautiful spot at the top of the hill with a view.  George Sugarman's first sculpture was considered radical because each form was painted a different color.  The sculpture in Hamilton was built later in his life in the 80's.  I think it's inspirational with it's cheerful multi-colors.  

 

Lesson Idea

Find a sculpture park near you and discuss the artist and their inspiration to make the sculpture.  You don't need to live near Hamilton to immerse your kids in sculpture.  Here's five Sculpture Parks in the Midwest:

1.  Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park - Hamilton, OH (pictured above)

http://www.pyramidhill.org/aboutthepark.php?pid=1

$8 adults, $2 children age 5-12

2.  Laumeier Sculpture Park - St. Louis, MO, one of the first and largest in the U.S. with 60 sculptures on 105 acres, free and open daily

3.  John and Mary Pappajohn Sculpture Park - Des Moines, IA

4.  Martin H. Bush Outdoor Sculpture Collection - Wichita, Kansas

5.  Georgia and David K. Welles Sculpture Garden - Toledo, OH

For sculpture parks in Illinois, see my article about The Sculpture Park Schaumburg.