Date: September 19, 2008
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, September 19, 2008 – It was a different sort of unveiling that pleased the crowd who recently gathered at Governors State University to celebrate the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park (NMSP), which graces the campus grounds.
After viewing large photo murals of some of the more significant works in the 26-piece outdoor collection, those present were introduced to the park through a short documentary by the award-winning director Seth McClellan of Frankfort.
McClellan, whose documentary works have won numerous film festival awards and screenings and been shown on WTTW Chicago, applied his video production talents to reveal the natural beauty of the park, establish the importance of the works on exhibit, and decipher their meanings.
The film explained the history of the park through a montage of archival photographs, film clips, and an interview with Lewis Manilow, builder, philanthropist, and art collector. Manilow founded the park and named it for his father, Nathan, the visionary developer. In the film, he spoke of the park's inception, development, and future.
Geoffrey Bates, Director and Curator of the NMSP, introduced the film to the audience, many of whom were new to the park. He explained that the park Board of Directors, led by Chair Susan Ormsby of Olympia Fields, was ready to establish the park as one of the premier outdoor sculpture parks in the nation.
"Community events, education programs, and new acquisitions will reintroduce the park to people who have not visited in many years and attract new visitors to discover the amazing treasures dotting the prairie landscape around the university," said Bates.
"Education programs currently in development will use the documentary and tours of the sculpture park to educate both school children and adult visitors," explained Bates.
He added that the park docent program has trained a cadre of knowledgeable guides who lead regularly scheduled tours on weekends and specially arranged tours during the week. Special events, such as family days, art classes, and receptions are ongoing. Trips to view other outdoor works of art and visit galleries have already proven popular and will continue.
Bates reminded the audience of the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park Fall Family Fun Fest on October 25. A new fund and friend raising drive, meant to widen the park’s audience, will also begin this fall.
The Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park is open year round from dawn to dusk. It 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.
