Date: August 27, 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, August 27, 2007 – “I never realized there were so many beautiful sculptures in this collection. This has been an amazing afternoon. I have learned so much,” said Nancy Burley, of Crete.
Burley and several others recently accompanied Geoffrey Bates, director and curator of the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park, on a tour of the park.
The informal walking tours established earlier this spring have drawn many new visitors to the nationally recognized sculpture park on the grounds of Governors State University in University Park. The tour includes an easy one mile walk around the 26 sculptures in the world-class collection.
During the tour, guests have the opportunity to see most of the sculptures, learn about the artists, and the history of the park.
“I provide insight into some of the artist’s methods and ideas behind the works, as well as explain why the collection we have here in University Park is truly special,” said Bates.
“Seeing these incredible sculptures around the lake or in the prairie provides a great natural setting. I imagine the artists could not have hoped for a better place to showcase their artwork,” said Bruce Colón of Chicago Ridge.
The Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park at Governors State University is open from dawn until dusk, 365 days a year. It includes sculptures by a variety of nationally and internationally acclaimed artists including significant works by Mark diSuvero, Mary Miss, Bruce Nauman, Martin Puryear, Joel Shapiro, and Richard Hunt.
Tours of the sculpture park are free and open to the public. Tours begin at 2 p.m., on Sunday, September 2 and 16, and October 7 and 21. Visitors should gather at the open area near the lake behind the Hall of Governors. Comfortable footwear is recommended. Tours are conducted rain or shine, however, thunderstorms will force a cancellation. Reservations are not required.
Governors State University is located at 1 University Parkway, University Park. For more information about the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park, tours, or scheduled programs, call (708) 534-4486, e-mail sculpture@govst.edu, or visit www.govst.edu/sculpture.
