Date: December 20, 2007
Contact: Lindsay Gladstone
Governors State University
Phone: (708) 534-7090
Fax: (708) 534-8399
Email: l-gladstone@govst.edu
For Immediate Release
University Park, IL, December 20, 2007 – As the new year begins, so does a new era for the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park at Governors State University in University Park. Now entering its 30th year, the Sculpture Park has plans for a newsletter, new programs, and a new board to further its vision and community outreach.
President Susan Ormsby of Olympia Fields leads the new board. Ormsby, a long time resident of the south suburbs, is a member of the Olympia Fields Board of Trustees and owner of Susan Ormsby Design, an interior design firm specializing in corporate and office space design.
“My passion is to raise awareness of the south suburbs and the wonderful jewel we have in the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park. It is so easy to get to and in a beautiful prairie setting,” said Ormsby. “We are working to raise awareness of this long hidden treasure.”
The sculpture park is home to 26 sculptures, many by internationally recognized artists, on more than 100 acres of prairie and woodland. Each piece is accessible by paths that weave over the grounds connecting one unique work of art with another.
Additional board members include Ruth Crnkovich, Director of Tallgrass Arts Association; Bob Emser, a sculptor from Eureka, Illinois, with studios in Chicago; William Brazley, founding architect of William E. Brazley and Associates in Matteson; Josephine Ferguson of Valparaiso, Indiana, former Director of Friends of Art at the Brauer Museum of Art at Valparaiso University; and Jacqueline Lewis of Olympia Fields, Early Education Program Coordinator at Longwood School in Glenwood. Board members from GSU include Dr. Elaine Maimon, President; Susan Rakstang, Director of Facilities Development and Management; Arthur Bourgeois, Chairman of the Art Department; Gebeyehu Ejigu, Executive Vice President and Chief of Staff; Joan Vaughan, Vice President of Institutional Advancement; and Geoffrey Bates, Director and Curator of the sculpture park. Developer and philanthropist Lewis B. Manilow, who was instrumental in the creation of the sculpture park, is an ex officio member of the board.
“This is a milestone year for the Sculpture Park at GSU,” said Bates. “We are very excited about the direction the board is leading the park. Their work will move the park forward, help us gain recognition, and serve the community. The many new programs we are establishing will reintroduce the community to the sculpture park.”
Among the new programs is an expanded tour schedule open to community members on specified weekends and to school groups at pre-arranged times during the week. Specially trained docents will lead the tours. Featured events will include programs for children, bike tours of the park, a summer day camp, lively presentations and informal lectures, and opportunities to tour other art-related venues.
“We are eager to expand our programs to reach a larger audience,” said Bates. “We are seeking volunteers who are interested in serving on planning and programming committees or becoming docents. We’ll provide the training and information they need to learn about the park and its wonderful artwork.”
The Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park is located at Governors State University, 1 University Parkway, University Park, Illinois. For more information or to volunteer, call (708) 534-4486 or email sculpture@govst.edu.
