Being the capital city of Kentucky, Frankfort naturally garners thousands of visitors each year who visit the city to see the Capitol, Old Capitol, Governor’s Mansion, Floral Clock, Daniel Boone’s grave and more. Along their transit from one historical site to the next, since 2019, visitors have been able to take in art exhibits as well, thanks to the Art in Public Places program. The art also benefits residents who might not have the means to travel too far out of the downtown district to see art.
“Arts Downtown is a significant part of our Art in Public Places program, which places art throughout our community where people live, work and play,” Josephine Sculpture Park (JSP) Executive Director Melanie VanHouten said.
“Public art is for everyone, and JSP is committed to removing barriers, both geographic and financial in order for people to have opportunities to experience art without having to go to a museum, or even out to JSP, and it is also free!”
The public art initiative began five years ago after residents participated in “On The Table” discussions hosted by the Blue Grass Community Foundation. During those conversations, local philanthropist Richard Rosen had the idea to place sculptures downtown, and then-City Manager, Cindy Steinhauser, suggested murals downtown as a means to increase economic development.
“The Rosens (Richard and wife, Anna Marie) single-handedly funded the first two years of the program with a significant financial contribution,” VanHouten said. “This enabled JSP to commission several murals and to develop the rotating sculpture exhibition that continues today.”
Currently, there are nine murals throughout downtown Frankfort and 17 sculptures on exhibit. The sculptures will be on display through 2025.
“I see the Arts Downtown project serving several purposes,” Richard Rosen said. “First, it beautifies our city in its own right. Second, it makes Frankfort more inviting, fun and memorable for visitors and citizens. Third, and maybe most importantly, it helps our downtown economy.
“When tourists take photos of the art and post them on social media, it hopefully attracts people to Frankfort that otherwise might have just passed by on the freeway.”
Josie Kirker, grants manager and public art administrator at JSP, said the artists of the pieces are from all over the world.
“We do a national call for submissions,” Kirker said. “We get applications from all over.”
After the application deadline ends, the FrankArts jury team reviews the applications and decides what pieces get selected.
“They score them, provide feedback and then we have a meeting and we make decisions about selecting the sculptures,” Kirker said.
Kirker said they have nine people on the jury team to ensure a diverse selection of art.
“It’s not just one person selecting the art that they like,” she said. “This allows us to have a diverse exhibit. It’s a nice process that gives you a bunch of different pieces.”
A diverse selection of art is exactly what is on display currently.
“I think some of it is whimsy,” Kirker said. “The piece ‘The Psychiatrist is In’ is a funny piece, and there’s a chair where you can sit and have a session with the psychiatrist.”
“The Psychiatrist is In” is located on St. Clair St. across from the Frankfort Tourist Commission. It was created by Jennifer Meyer, an artist and professional counselor.
“She told me that installing her piece in Frankfort with three women (VanHouten, JSP park manager Mollie Rabiner and volunteer Raychel Blackburn) was one of the most memorable and defining moments of her career, as female sculptors and installers are rare.”
Another interesting sculpture, “Star Seed,” is located directly in front of the tourist commission. “Star Seed” is a stone sculpture by Kentucky artist Don Lawler. He has another sculpture, “Determination,” located at 316 Wapping St.
“This functional sculpture shows a sprout as it finds itself between a rock and a hard place,” as stated in the description of the sculpture “Determination” on visitfrankfort.com. “As it grows, it overcomes the obstacles in its way. This is a metaphor for the human struggle — nothing is easy.”
The sculpture, “Basics #62,” was created by New York City artist Matthias Newmann and is located at River View Park, 404 Wilkinson Blvd.
“He flew into Kentucky with essentially nothing but a suitcase, and built the piece onsite using locally sourced 2×4 lumber,” Kirker said.
The sculpture, “Octavious Ocho,” by Jaclyn Herr, is the artist’s first large sculpture and it took three years to create, Kirker said. “Octavious Ocho” is also located at River View Park.
“It has an attached tube that can be used to hide trinkets for geocaching, the treasure-hunting game.”
Kirker said she hopes the pieces inspire people to become creative.
“I hope everyone in the community finds one they like and it makes them pause, laugh and have some kind of inspiration,” she said.
Kirker said the sculpture artists receive $2,000 for the loan of the sculpture and many of them are for sale. A few of them are permanent.
“They can be purchased by anyone,” she said. “It helps the artist have a source of income, and part of the proceeds stay at JSP to help us continue these types of programs.”
VanHouten said the Arts Downtown exhibition is a collaboration between the City of Frankfort and JSP and is funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional support from the Richard and Anna Marie Rosen Fund, Frankfort Tourist Commission, Expree Credit Union, Harrod Concrete & Stone and Stantec.
Four of the sculptures in the exhibit are located at Expree Credit Union, 100 Moore Drive.
Robin Antenucci, executive director of the Frankfort Tourist Commission, said the organization has been a long supporter of the arts in Frankfort.
“The commission was a key player/funder/supporter of the original Frankfort Public Art Tour (FPAT) that was developed from a collaboration with the city, Kentucky State University, JSP, Liberty Hall Historic Sites, Joanna Hay and others,” Antenucci said.
She said in 2009, FPAT received a grant to develop a cellphone tour for 23 sculptures on display at the time and various downtown architectural features.
“In 2019, when we launched our current website, visitfrankfort.com, we worked with JSP and others to integrate FPAT into the site, as well as add the sculptures and murals that were being developed as part of the Art in Public Places effort,” she said.
All of the sculptures are featured on the website, along with a brief description of the sculpture and artist information. Antenucci said the commission is also currently working on developing a walking tour for the art.
“The arts is another pillar in the suite of attractions and interests we have in Frankfort that attract visitors,” she said. “The partnership has enabled JSP to do what they do best — selecting pieces, installations, etc. — while we provide the website and its maintenance, brochures, advertising, tours, etc. The program is of value to both visitors to the area, as well as our community.
“It enhances the quality of life in Frankfort, as art is known to do.”
