Chad Wilson & miChelle Vara install public art in Glens Falls NY.

Nancy O’Brien Nancy O’Brien – nobrien@poststar.com miChelle Vara works to install her sculpture, “Life,” in City Park in Glens Falls on July 1.

miCHelle Vara Installing Sculpture in City Park

GLENS FALLS – A small group of people gathered at the corner of Maple and Ridge streets on Thursday for a public unveiling of the first piece of sculpture in City Park, but instead of a traditional curtain or sheet to unveil, they watched as artist miChelle Vara and Chad Willson slid the 1,000 pound metal sculpture off a trailer and onto the ground, and then onto two round concrete circles in the park.
“When I read in the paper that the sculpture would be unveiled at 2 o’clock, I expected a curtain or a sheet, but this is much more fun,” said Chris Scoville, of Scoville Jewelers, who walked to the park to see the new piece.
Vara owns Ballard Road Art Studio Gallery in Wilton, and she approached the city about creating the sculpture about a year ago.
“I did the formal application to the council, and my idea was to begin a dialog with the city to have new sculptures in the park,” Vara said. “I’d like to see rotating artists and rotating pieces in the park, but the first step is to expose Glens Falls to its first piece of public art.”
Vara considers Glens Falls her hometown, even though she doesn’t live here.
“I eat here. I shop here. All my friends are here,” she said. “Glens Falls has no public art – art you can see anytime, with no fee – art that is accessible to everyone.” She said studies have shown that communities with public art feel ‘culture elevated.’
“Public art increases revenues. It improves attitudes and increases visitors’ interest,” she said.
The sculpture is rusted metal, sort of like a girder that has been bent and twisted into a unique shape. Vara calls it “Life.”
“All pieces of art should be interpreted by the viewer, but my own personal point of view is that life intertwines. There are patterns to life – ups and downs,” she said. “I wanted to put this piece in the park first because it is the most easily accepted; people don’t find it abrasive or obnoxious, and I didn’t want to start with anything with a negative connotation.”
“It’s interesting, to say the least,” said Glens Falls Mayor John “Jack” Diamond. “It complements the park nicely, and we’re going to do more, but in a controlled manner.” The city is forming a committee to organize a call to artists for new pieces of sculpture to be placed in the park, perhaps for a year at a time. Vara’s “Life” will be in City Park through October.

miChelle is in hopes that this introduction to public sculpture will allow everyone in the community and visitors to interact with art on a personal level. miChelle’s intentions are to create a draft and following for a yearly sculpture show of Glens Falls, supported by the city and community.
We are glad to invite everyone to this new metalsome experience!

Henry Hudson’s stolen Ship was re-built.
Over one year ago the Half Moon was stolen off Henry Hudsons Map in Kingston NY-
Henry Hudson and the Half Moon sculpture, was on display for the Arts Society of Kingston when the sculpture was robbed of the integral 18” Half Moon ship displayed on the map.
The sculpture is made of re-claimed metal, depicting references to the historical story of Henry Hudson and his adventure.
2 years ago I hade been intrigued by the explorer called Henry Hudson.
His findings, his perseverance, the times and how he made things happen even through harsh adversity and successes. With this in mind I became driven to capture the man and the history thru sculpture. Henry Hudson is made from a years labor and hand picked re-claimed metal articles, welded together in a painted finish. The parts were chosen for their past life's function tying the story together with connotations of things left behind and new beginnings. The existing shapes were also a strong consideration for the subliminal story told. Such as Bicycles as his breast lapels - Henry Hudson was driven by simple travel.
His eyes made of ships rings. The hats brim the nuts and bolts of his operation his mind. The Map Stand is a crate portraying the merchandise he was to deliver. And so on.

Now Artist miChelle M. Vara has re-made the ship and will be installing the sculpture on Thursday 17th at 1pm, to be displayed at the Hudson River Maritime Museum, 50 Rondout Landing - Kingston, NY.
][caption id="attachment_1174" align="alignleft" width="400" caption="Henry Hudson catalog"]

Artist miChelle has made 2 ships reminiscent of the Half Moon sculpture that was stolen, Now available for purchase.

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