“Introspection” public art sculptures to be unveiled Saturday

WHO: The 14th Nashua International Sculpture Symposium, with three artists this year from around the U.S., who, for the last few weeks, have each been creating a sculpture outdoors in view of visitors; the three sculptures will be placed together in one location to be viewed with the public on Sat., June 12, 2021 during the event's closing ceremony. The 2021 artists are: Nora Valdez, of Argentina and Cambridge, Mass., Sam Finkelstein of Rockland, Maine, and Gavin Kenyon of New York City area, with help from artistic director Jim Larson of Contoocook, N.H., and intern Kaitlyn Peters of Londonderry, N.H.

WHAT: “Introspection,” the 14thAnnual International Sculpture Symposium

WHERE: Two locations:

· The Picker Artists Studios, 3 Pine St., Nashua, N.H. which is the studio/worksite, part of this week as artists complete their work

· 6 Church Street, Nashua, N.H. for the closing ceremony and the permanent site of the three new sculptures

WHEN: The artists are still working hard this week to finish their works at the Picker Artists Studios worksite. The public can stop by to take a look as the pieces come together 10-4 daily.

The closing ceremony is open to the public and to be held on Sat., June 12, 2021 at 1 p.m. The artists will discuss their work and experiences alongside their finished pieces in the site where they will be on permanent display. People are invited to come up close, examine the pieces and speak with the artists.

The “Introspection” theme:

The theme for this year’s Symposium came from the fact that the artists, like so many other people, have had to largely be isolated from others during the pandemic. Artists, even if they do work alone, usually have a chance to show and exhibit their work and converse with others but not during the pandemic. Indeed, the Symposium has brought people out and back together to interact. The artists have been working near one another in the outdoor studio space the last few weeks and have been able to confer together and look at one others’ work, eat together, experience the weather conditions, play their music loud and proud. People have been regularly visiting with them and talking with them about their work. Sculptor Sam Finkelstein said of his experience so far with the project, "I'm a big proponent of no-barrier access to art, so it's exciting to know my sculpture will live out in Nashua. There's been a strong dynamism working amongst other talented sculptors, and the hot days set the tone for high-intensity creative energy."

For some of the artists, this was a new experience of working on a piece of art outside and in public, as though they are on a stage, which the studio setting resembles; in addition to the new experience for some of the artists of developing a large scale piece of sculpture to be displayed in public. They also have had access to tools they do not normally have. There has been a lot of interest from the public coming to watch the artists at work, take photos and speak with the artists daily. Volunteers on hand daily from NISS talk with visitors and show them around the outdoor studio space.

With this theme, the Symposium this year has been contextualizing the thought processes of the artists from the past year with that isolated condition and then presenting their work with that context to the public for the first time in over a year. Artistic Director Jim Larson said, “These are almost necessarily ideas of introspection that came about while workingalone during the past year. The symposium is a chance for these three artists to take these ideas and reframe them within the public realm.”

Meanwhile, the sculptors are in a final sprint to get their work finished so it can be put in place for the Saturday closing ceremony. “The sculptors are finishing their work at 3 Pine Street this week and will be installing their pieces at 6 Church St., in time for the closing on Saturday… they are working likecrazy,” said NISS president Gail Moriarty. The NISS board and their volunteers are also assisting them any way they can.

About the Symposium:

Since 2008, The Nashua International Sculpture Symposium has presented an annual multi week spring sculpture-making event in the city of Nashua, N.H.Artists are invited from around the world to take part. They spend three weeks in Nashua creating public art that now, after 14 years, join several dozen unique pieces placed throughout the city in public and outdoor places and spaces for everyone to enjoy.

Residents also can get involved in the symposium by volunteering to host the artists, helping to provide meals and transportation, and spending time with the artists as they work. The artists learn how to create large-scale sculpture pieces, and they, while making their art and interacting with visitors and the public, educate them about their own artmaking techniques, their cultures and their backgrounds

Nashua is the only city in the U.S. to host such a symposium that brings appreciation and awareness to the value and benefit of free, public art. Nashua is committed to such publicly accessible art and the city is becoming known for not only these compelling sculptures, but for other kinds of public art as well, including many kinds of murals. The idea of the Symposium was inspired by Meri Goyette, now 95, and a major patron of the arts and culture in Nashua, and John Weidman, director of the Andres Institute of Art in Brookline, N.H.

Sculptors are selected to participate in the Symposium for their ability to positively contribute to the artistic and cultural development of Nashua with the goal to improve the quality of life throughout the city for residents and visitors.

Because of the pandemic in 2020 and 2021, NISS has switched gears and has been working with artists from around North America.

When visiting during this last Symposium week, it is important to stay back from the artists, not only because of the machinery and tools in use, along with the dust and particles from the stonecutting, but to continue to comply with pandemic protocols, including wearing masks (mainly to protect you from the particles and dust) and practicing physical distancing if needed.

For more information and to see a comprehensive images and locations of all past sculptures, information on sponsoring a sculpture, and more:

· NISS: http://www.NashuaSculptureSymposium.org

NISS on social media:

NISS Facebook page:https://www.facebook.com/NashuaSculptures

NISS Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/nashuasculpturesymposium/

NISS YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJ4B36szGxtMiuHs3PPfcYA/videos

NISS LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/NashuaSculptures