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Carmel Art Festival with Popular Live Sculpture Event \
Sculptor Steven Whyte will return to the Carmel Art Festival’s Sculpture in
the Park in an important live public art event. Whyte will move elements of his
studio Carmel studio the two blocks to a stage in Carmel’s, Devendorff Park for
the duration of the festival which runs from May, 15 through May, 18.
Beginning with only a basic armature or base, with the assistance of his
studio team, Whyte will sculpt an over life size figure or bust of a noted
personage in American history by the conclusion of the festival on Sunday.
In previous years the sculpture event has been a highlight of the Sculpture
in the Park program as hundreds of festival attendees repeatedly visited Whyte
to check on the status of the sculpture and discuss the project with the
artist. Whyte, who operates an open studio and gallery in Su Vecino Courtyard
on Dolores Street, is known for his approachable demeanor and desire to educate
art lovers and the general public about the process behind the creation of fine
art sculpture. “Art is a public medium,” he explains, “and my work is
particularly linked to the public because it celebrates the human form and
experience.”
The subject of this year’s sculpture has yet to be announced. Whyte
explains that he hopes visitors will attend the festival and watch the figure
take shape as in 2005 when by the Saturday of the event, the visitors could tell
he was sculpting a seven foot statue Bob Hope and in 2007 a nine foot figure of
Dr. Martin Luther King took shape.
Originally from England, Whyte is a noted figurative sculptor and is
credited with 10 over-life size public monument in his native England and in the
United States including The Dr. John Roberts Memorial located outside Seaside
City Hall, the National Tribute to Bob Hope and Our Nation’s Military in San
Diego and the recently completed Column of Knowledge featuring Dr. Martin Luther
King, Jr. for Fontana, California. He is also the past Vice President of the
prestigious, London-based Royal Society of Portrait Sculptors. The sculptor
relocated to the Monterey Peninsula in 2003 and has since been named best local
artist by a local publications reader’s poll, three times.
In August of last year, Whyte moved his popular open studio and gallery to
Carmel where the venue has become a popular destination for locals and visitors
alike. “With Carmel’s artistic history it’s the ideal location for a gallery
like ours,” says Whyte. “Visitors see first-hand the work that goes into the
art and hopefully they leave inspired and educated, and they have a greater
appreciation for the pieces they see in the other Carmel galleries.” Whyte has
recently partnered with his wife’s new adjoining gallery, Wellington’s Fine Art
Sculpture that will link into his own studio space. The new gallery named after
Whyte’s Bulldog, Lord Wellington and will feature his work and well as the work
of other sculptors he admires.
“I’m thrilled to be invited back to the Carmel Art Festival,” remarked
Whyte, “and doubly excited to participate in an event that involves the
community in the artistic process in such an exciting, dramatic and educational
way. I hope people have the opportunity to stop by or to visit the studio and
see the other projects we’re working on.”
For more information on Steven Whyte’s Open Studio and Gallery visit ( www.stevenwhytesculptor.com ) or call (831) 620-1917.
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