(UPDATED 12/1/18) Description of the partially completed McKinley Village Art Walk and the recently dedicated Michael Himovitz Park.
Michael Himovitz Park
Last Friday Mayor Darrell Steinberg and City Councilmembers Jeff Harris and Steve Hansen participated in the ribbon-cutting dedication of the Michael Himovitz Park. The park was named for Himovitz in recognition of his contributions to the Sacramento community.
I had planned to attend the ribbon-cutting, but had a last minute change in plans. On the following Sunday I made my way to McKinley Village to view the artwork installed to date.
Himovitz, a Sacramento art gallery owner, was a strong supporter of the Sacramento art scene and the local arts community. Among other things, Himovitz is credited with creating the Second Saturday Art Walk which to this day is a popular monthly Sacramento arts event.
Himovitz died in 1994.
SacramentoRevealed.com – All Things Sacramento (from a personal perspective)
The Michael Himovitz Park, a small pocket park in the southwestern corner of McKinley Village, features a sculpture by Jim Piskoti titled “Wildlife on a Ferris Wheel”.
McKinley Village Art Walk
Six of the ten planned McKinley Village Art Walk works of art have been installed to date:
- Bronze Sculptures by Helen Post
- Clearing by Gina Werfel
- La Feuille by Marc Foster
- Luminous Passage by Michael Sestak
- Tractor Levitation by Jeff Myers
- Wildlife on a Ferris Wheel by Jim Piskoti
Bronze Sculptures by Helen Post
Five bronze sculptures created by Helen Post between 1972 and 1997 are on display in the Alan and Helen Post Park, the first park completed within McKinley Village. The park was named after Helen and Alan Post, a talented and accomplished Sacramento couple.
Alan not only served under five governors (1949-1977) as the California Legislative Analyst, he was also an accomplished painter. Helen was an active civic leader, and also a talented sculptor. Both of their works were exhibited throughout the region and state.
Helen died in 2010 and Alan in 2011.
Mounted on columns, the five bronze sculptures are located in the northeast corner of the park, situated among a grove of trees. To view the Helen Post sculptures turn right on McKinley Village Way as you enter the development.
Not shown: Helmet Head/Binoculars (1976); Bird Lady (1990); Angel (1997).
Clearing by Gina Werfel
Clearing is located in the R. Burnett Miller Park. The artwork is composed of seven panels of varying shapes and sizes. Set along the walking path, the seven panels are each a piece of a single work of art.
The artist, Gina Werfel, is currently a Professor of Art at the University of California, Davis. Her work has been exhibited throughout the U.S.
La Feuille by Marc Foster
LaFeuille (The Leaf) is the first thing you will notice after you traverse the underpass and approach the main entrance of McKinley Village.
See related post: La Feuille – Sacramento Public Art
Luminous Passage by Michael Sestak
The main entrance to McKinley Village – the McKinley Village Way underpass – has a state-of-the-art LED light system designed by Michael Sestak. Sestak won the national Gold Award from the Association of Outdoor Lighting Professions for Luminous Passage.
The light system can cast variable color patterns on the ceiling of the underpass while lighting the twelve underpass columns. Fully programmable, the color of the lights and effects can be changed as desired – for example to celebrate a particular holiday.
A nighttime still picture does not do Luminous Passage justice. See a video of the underpass lighting at night.
Sestak owns Sacramento-based Sestak Lighting Design.
Tractor Levitation by Jeff Myers
Photo Coming Soon!
Born in Sacramento, Jeff Myers is known for both his paintings and photography. He has exhibited his work locally and throughout the U.S.
Wildlife on a Ferris Wheel by Jim Piskoti
“Wildlife on a Ferris Wheel” is a 72”h x 48”w x 8”d enamel on stainless steel sculpture with mechanical elements. The enamel circles, painted with colorful animal forms, rotate.
Jim Piskoti is an Emeritus Professor of Fine Art at the California State University, Stanislaus. The award winning artist has exhibited his artwork at venues throughout California.
See related blog posts: Coming Soon – McKinley Village and McKinley Village Open House
Comments on the McKinley Village Art Walk?
Have you had the opportunity to view the public artwork installed to date? Do you have a favorite?
Updates
(12/1/18) Broken link removed.
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