In celebration of its new village hall, and as part of its Art in Public Places program, the Village of Royal Palm Beach has commissioned a new major sculpture, called “Rooted.” The 11-foot aluminum art piece will resemble a tree, with its branches providing places where the artist will carve 50 phrases and sentences that describe the warm feelings of village residents about their home.
Royal Palm Beach residents were asked by sculptor Beth Nybeck last week, “What memories comes to mind when you think of home?”
Nybeck is an internationally recognized sculptor and public artist. She creates elegant metal artwork that explores the human connection to the world around us. She is interested in activating her sculptures through public interaction, inviting residents to collaborate in her creative process.
The artist traveled from her Kansas City studio to Royal Palm Beach last week to create a dialogue with residents. She staged three outreach events, all designed to ask village residents about their feelings toward their community.
“The village advertised two listening sessions, both at Royal Palm Beach Commons Park during the Shakespeare performances, but I added a third session at a senior living facility, because I specifically wanted to hear what some of our wisest and most mature residents have to say about home,” she said.
The object of her outreach is to harvest phrases and sentences that she can then incorporate into the sculpture.
Betty Lantiere has lived in Royal Palm Beach for more than 35 years. For the last three years, she has called the Capstone at Royal Palm, a senior living facility, her home.
“When I think of home, I think of family get togethers each holiday with all of us around the big table with flowers on it, so I submitted the phrase ‘love in bloom,’” Lantiere said.
Marilyn Walsh, a retired teacher who also lives at the Capstone, thought along similar lines and submitted, “center of love.” When asked to expound, she said, “The funny thing is, when I think of home, I think home is the center of everything.”
The artist harvested scores of ideas, phrases and sentences both at the Capstone and during outreach at the park. Fifty of the best phrases will be cut into 3/8-inch-thick aluminum plate and incorporated into the sculpture. The village has veto power over any inappropriate or controversial phraseology.
More than a hundred submissions have been received. Submissions include: “Bike rides, beautiful sunsets, bird watching, evenings together on the porch, chatter around the kitchen table during family gatherings, great friends (at every stage of life), favorite foods in the cupboard, warm smiles, bread baking, walls filled with memories past and present, Sunday dinners, the smell of orange blossoms on a salmon-colored sky, and always having a place to come back to.”
The “Rooted” sculpture is one of the fruits of the village’s Art in Public Places program.
The village established the Art in Public Places section of the code to enhance the quality of the visual environment in the community.
Mario Lopez Pisani, the village’s public art professional, explained, “There are four main benefits to the village’s art in public places program: 1) to increase public access to art and the aesthetically designed environment, further promoting understanding and awareness of the visual arts for the public, 2) to contribute to civic pride and economic development, 3) to enhance the climate for artistic creativity in the village, and 4) to enrich the public environment for both residents and visitors to the area through the incorporation of the visual arts.”
Nybeck’s large-scale metal sculptures are featured in parks, universities, airports, and downtown plazas across the country. She was very pleased with the submissions harvested during her three village outreach events.
“Each city has its unique vibe, culture and experience,” she said. “I was really pleased to speak with so many Royal Palm Beach residents. Some submissions were kind of expected, but we received some really unique feedback.”
“Home,” and the sculpture, mean different things to different people. Krista Manuel, a 12-year resident, applauded the effort. “I love this art program and am so happy the artist is reaching out,” she said. “I love living in Royal Palm Beach because of cool neighbors and because there are so many parks and programs for my kids.”
Meanwhile, resident Virginia Knebel said one word comes to her when she thinks of “home” — music. It’s not a surprise, since Knebel is a retired piano teacher.
The sculpture will be fabricated in the artist’s studio in Kansas City before traveling to Royal Palm Beach. In November of this year, “Rooted” will be installed near the reflecting pool at the north entrance to Royal Palm Beach Village Hall. The total budget for the artwork is $100,000.
Councilwoman Jan Rodusky, who has advocated for the Art in Public Places program since 2016, said, “I am thrilled about our Art in Public Places program and in this wonderful piece ‘Rooted’ in particular.”
See more of artist Beth Nybeck’s work at www.bethnybeck.com.
