MEDIA CONTACT:
Vanessa Ormsby, RCA Communications Manager
(361) 320-2064 / vanessa@rockportartcenter.com
A GARDEN DESIGNED TO GROW IMAGINATION AND INSPIRATION
ROCKPORT, Texas — Gardens come in all shapes and sizes, including the Patricia Bennett Moore Sculpture Garden, part of the 1.2-acre Rockport Center for the Arts (RCA) campus in downtown Rockport. The 16,000-square-foot garden blooms year-round with 10 sculptural works from the RCA permanent collection of 23, featuring artists with state, national, and international recognition.
“The Sculpture Garden concept was established at RCA back in 2000 with the acquisition of our first piece, Rites of Spring by Kent Ullberg,” said Luis Purón, RCA executive director. “The acquisition was made possible through a generous grant from the Margaret Sue Rust Foundation, before the passing of Mrs. Rust. The sculpture was unveiled on her birthday. Since that time, we have continued to collect amazing works by some of the art world’s most renowned sculptors.”
Award-winning Richter Architects of Corpus Christi designed the coastal contemporary RCA facility, including the garden. Complete with greenery, water features, and five granite benches designed and created by sculptor Jesús Moroles and Moroles Art Co., the space is often utilized by guests for relaxation and contemplation, while also serving as a desirable setting for special events and gatherings. The garden also provides a visually inspiring transitional space between the two-story, 14,000-square-foot visual arts and education building and The Rockport Conference Center (The ROCC), an adjacent one-story, 8,000-square-foot event space.
The current 10 works featured in the garden are Merry Time Romance, 2021, and Kingfisher, 2012, Kent Ullberg; Man’s Best Friend, 1999, Michael Atkinson; Moonscape, 2014, Lighthouse Fountain, 2002, and Interlocking, 1985, Jesús Moroles; Uccelli (Birds of St. Francis), 1972, Charles Umlauf; Walking White Flower, 2011, James Surls; the triptych The Inevitable Question, The Lure of Simple Inclinations, and The False Shadow of Transformation, 2016, Danville Chadbourne; and Days, 2009, Mark Williamson.
Additional sculptures from the RCA permanent collection are placed throughout Rockport helping to beautify the downtown area and create a dialogue that ties into the on-campus sculpture garden:
· Beach Day, 2022, Kathy Wardle; Austin Street Red, 2021, and Spirit of Rockport, 2019, Nic Noblique; strategically placed along S. Austin St.
· The Last Man Standing, 2023, Andy Sacksteder; at Veterans Memorial Park
· Spirit Columns, 1998, Jesus Moroles; waterfront on the south end of Little Bay
· Rites of Spring, 2000, and Preening Heron, 2017, Kent Ullberg; Return of Ancient Wisdom, 2008, Leo Osborne; Off Port Bow, 2009, Sandy Scott; and Into the Wind, 2011, Jane DeDecker; located at RCA’s former location on Navigation Circle, adjacent to Aransas Bay
Future placements include Espinazo, 2024, and Guy Clark Folk Heart, 2024, Greg Reuter, in the sculpture garden and Summer Showers, 2023, George Lundeen, to be displayed at Celebration Plaza of the new Aransas County Courthouse currently under construction.
For information, visit rockportartcenter.com, follow RCA on Facebook and Instagram, or call (361) 729-5519.
About Rockport Center for the Arts
The new 1.2-acre Rockport Center for the Arts, the Coastal Bend’s first multidisciplinary arts organization, is located a block away from Aransas Bay in the heart of the Rockport Cultural Arts District. Designed by the award-winning team at Richter Architects, the state-of-the-art campus features a two-story, 14,000-square-foot, visual arts and education building with four galleries and five classrooms (204 S. Austin St.); The Rockport Conference Center, a one-story, 8,000-square-foot conference and event center, known as The ROCC, (106 S. Austin St.); with a 16,000-square-foot Sculpture Garden serving as a visually inspiring transition space between the two buildings. The hours of operation for the showroom, galleries, and gift shop are Tuesday–Saturday from 10 a.m.–5 p.m., and Sunday from noon–4 p.m. Admission is always free. For information on event space, or to book an event, call (361) 450-8033. For general information and to become a member, visit rockportartcenter.com, follow RCA on Facebook, or call (361) 729-5519.
About The Rockport Conference Center (The ROCC)
Located at 106 S. Austin St. on the 1.2-acre Rockport Center for the Arts campus is The Rockport Conference Center (The ROCC). Perfect for small conferences and board meetings, team-building events, family reunions, wedding receptions and more, the one-story, 8,000-square-foot conference and event center features a 4,400-square-foot ballroom (Randy Ewing Kemper Hall), 1,400-square-foot reception area (Estelle Stair Foyer), a fully equipped catering and culinary arts kitchen, and state-of-the-art AV and Wi-Fi throughout. For general information or to book an event, visit the-rocc.com, or call (361) 450-8033.
07/2024