St. Charles sculpture series bigger than ever

Officials say this year's Sculpture in the Park series in downtown St. Charles has a new emphasis - size.

The fourth annual exhibit, which opened Wednesday at Mount St. Mary Park, includes several pieces that are larger than visitors would have found in years past.

"In a 28-acre park, you need pieces of size and substance to really stand on their own and remain visible in all the natural beauty," said David Richards, executive director of the nonprofit Downtown St. Charles Partnership, which coordinates the event. "It's beautiful park. It's a big park."

Richards said the 12 pieces on display, including one that stands 15 feet tall, were chosen from 75 entries by sculptors from across the country, compared to about 30 in the first year.

The free exhibit contains works from artists in Colorado, Minnesota, Wisconsin and New York, as well as Illinois, he said.

"The show in its fourth year has really taken on a national interest," Richards said. "I think the awareness of the exhibit has increased and the interest from artists outside the Midwest is increasing."

Last year, the series drew more than 8,000 visitors to the park, a walkable natural space between the Fox River and Route 31, south of Main Street.

The only blip was the still unsolved theft of one sculpture by Lake in the Hills artist Patricia Brutchin, who was undeterred but said her latest entry didn't make this year's show.

The event is co-sponsored by the St. Charles Park District. For details, visit dtown.org or call (630) 513-5386.