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The Missouri Arts Council – as public leader, partner and catalyst – is dedicated to broadening the appreciation and availability of the arts in the state and fostering the diversity, vitality and excellence of Missouri’s communities, economy and cultural heritage.
Powell Gardens is appreciative for the Missouri Art Council’s leadership in funding our large sculpture installations in 2010 and 2011! As you can see above, our exhibits are not only beautiful and interesting but they also spark creativity and a lasting appreciation for art.
Big Bugs, our 2010 installation of larger-than-life insects, is generating much discussion and thought among visitors–from children speculating hopefully that the spider looming on its web “is not real, is it!?” to photographers admiring the way a dragonfly wing’s details so closely mirror nature.
It is significant that each of these insects is large. Making the insects “inspectable” introduces the study of the detail, purpose and role in the environment. As you can see, kids visiting the gardens had the chance to create a work of art themselves. Clearly, they were able to pick out and mimic the details that make so many of these small “friends of the garden” unique. Once on display, they nicely illustrate the intersection of nature, art and science. Comments recorded included:
Living opportunity for all ages! Thank you. – BD Sisney, Flutterby
I was moved to tears and grins. – Jack Newson
Love the plant parts art. Wonderfully creative and inspirational. I want to start collecting leaves, stems, buds, fruits and nuts and needles for similar projects. – Chris Jugh, Monach Watch
Nice art. Very creative. – Aiden Clark, Lee’s Summit
As a friend of the garden, please join us in thanking our legislators who appropriate funds to make the Missouri Arts Council possible.
We cannot exhibit these educational art installations without the help of our generous donors and the help of grants and corporate sponsorships. Thank you all for your recognition and support!
KCP&L
DST Systems
John C. Griswold Foundation
William T. Kemper Foundation at Commerce Bank
Bank of America Foundation
The Missouri Arts Council, a State Agency
UMB Bank – The Arvin Gottlieb Charitable Foundation
Gwyn Prentice and Andy Atterbury
Bartlett and Company Grain
Burlington Northern Santa Fe Foundation
Cretcher Heartland
Heiman Grain
Lakewood Garden Club
Joan & Bert Berkley
Bank Midwest
First Community Bank
Lead Bank
Marks Nelson Vohland Campbell Radetic LLC
Andrews McMeel Universal Foundation
All Seasons Party Rental
Kornis Electric