Art coming to the woods

Debbie Blank

June 01, 2007 08:05 am

— The Batesville Parks and Recreation Board allocated $500 May 17 for Sheri Focke to purchase plants and materials for sculptures to be placed at Brum Woods.
The Batesville primary and high school art teacher would like to see area artists create six to eight sculptures using natural materials, such as wood or creek rocks. “I could imagine a totem pole emerging from the woods,” says Focke, or perhaps a sculpture woven with natural fibers. “I’m asking local artists to come into the woods and put something there for everyone to enjoy.”
According to her, “I would love to see them start going up between now and the middle of July.”
Focke reports she was inspired to organize the project by environmental sculptor Andy Goldsworthy, a Brit who now resides in Scotland. He has produced over 70 commissions for the National Museum of Scotland, Los Angeles’ Getty Museum, Stanford University and others. “He’s always doing something ... out in nature.” The artist “uses rocks, stones and sticks and puts them together in an interesting way.”
Two artists already have signed on. Terry Huber is working on some sculptures of faces using a chain saw and Ted Cooley would get a kick out of seeing one of his painted snakes hanging from a tree.
Focke adds, “I want to do something, maybe with my son,” who is a Boy Scout. One idea she had was to make a rustic lean-to similar to ones the first Boy Scouts made.
Artists interested in participating may call her at (812) 212-0555.
In another effort to draw more people to the city’s most natural park, about a week ago Bonnie Hertel and Focke planted sunflower and purple and pink morning glory seedlings in the grassy meadow near State Road 229. In late summer that will become a round sunflower house with a doorway and a roof of morning glories. According to her, “It’s made for kids to actually walk in ... and play in.”
In addition to creating art for the woods, there are two other ways citizens can help improve the park. “If people have native plants they would like to see in Brum Woods, they could actually donate them to this project,” she suggests. The plants need to be shade loving. Focke also is planning some work days in June or July to spread mulch and gravel on trails.
Why is the teacher taking such an interest in Brum Woods? “I don’t think it’s used as much as it could be,” Focke answers. “Whenever I go back there myself, I see the pileated woodpecker and deer ... It’s a really cool way to start or end the day.”
After reading the book “Last Child in the Woods” by Richard Louv and taking a class through Landmark Education, Cincinnati, “what I’m trying to do is encourage kids to get outside.”
And not just children. “I’m just feeling there’s mounting evidence nature experiences” can relieve pressures that lead to depression. “I want to impact mental and physically well-being in the community.”
Debbie Blank can be contacted at (812) 934-4343, Ext. 113; or debbie.blank@ batesvilleheraldtribune.com. To comment on stories, visit batesvilleheraldtribune.com.