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Prof's art chosen for riverfront sculpture trail

Submitted/School of Fine Art

"Cricket Singing," a sculpture by John Hachmeister, associate professor of art, was chosen to be part of a proposed sculpture trail along the Kansas River.

A proposal to turn a section of the Kansas River trail into a sculpture trail may soon become a reality. If all goes as planned, a sculpture by John Hachmeister, associate professor of art, will be installed on a trail that connects Burcham and Constant parks near downtown Lawrence. Hachmeister's sculpture is part of the Kansas River Expression of Soul Sculpture Trail Project, initiated by local artist Marie Thompson and sponsored by the Lawrence Arts Guild.

The project was initiated after Thompson envisioned a sculpture trail that would not only beautify the trails along the Kansas River, but would also raise awareness for the river's ecosystem and provide sanctuary for local wildlife. Working with city government, businesses, grassroots organizations and local artists and scientists, Thompson and the Lawrence Arts Guild have been striving to make the vision a reality since introducing the initiative in July of last year.

Hachmeister was contacted by Thompson to take part in the initiative and was asked to create a sculpture for the first phase of the riverfront trail. Hachmeister also serves on the project board and has been asked to create an outdoor classroom for the creation of environmental and ecological artwork by KU sculpture students.

"I found myself on the board and meeting with representatives of Westar Energy, the Kansas Wildlife and Parks Department and Lawrence Parks and Recreation," Hachmeister said. "We have begun to lay out trails and designate areas for permanent artwork and also temporary student sculptures. We are also excited to involve our KU sculpture students and to involve other KU sculpture professors, such as Alison Luoma and Matthew Burke, who plan to contribute by creating sculptures of their own in the near future."

The sculpture Hachmeister is creating for the trail was conceived after he consulted with Kelly Kindscher, an associate scientist in ecology and evolutionary biology at the Kansas Biological Survey. The sculpture, constructed of dead wood, will be a rough pyramid configuration with a footprint of about 120 square feet. It will rise to a height of 14 to 16 feet. The sculpture would serve as an interface between the natural world and human visitors to the park.

"The interior will be open to sunlight and accessible to song birds, tree frogs and other small riverfront creatures, hopefully serving as a refuge for them," said Hachmeister.

Hachmeister hopes to finish his sculpture within a couple of months. When all is said and done, visitors to the river trail may see up to six permanent art pieces from contributing artists and possibly a dozen temporary pieces created by KU students and other artists.

Hachmeister's sculpture has been selected to appear on the main riverfront trail. Secondary sculpture trails have been proposed, and both trails would be maintained by Westar and Lawrence Parks and Recreation.

Thompson will seek corporate support to raise the money for the project, and if it is approved, she hopes to have a ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony in late summer.

For more information about the initiative and to learn how to participate, visit the Lawrence Art Guild Kansas River Expression of Soul Sculpture Trail website. Contact the KU Department of Art in the School of Fine Arts for more information on Hachmeister, at 864-4401.

TOPONYMS

The Lied Center of Kansas is named for Ernst M. and Ida K. Lied. They were the parents of Ernst F. Lied, who attended KU from 1923 to 1925 and played on the university's golf team. After his death, his estate established the Lied Foundation Trust, which oversees the performing arts center at KU and a similar one at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.