New sculpture to reflect what residents think about “home”

To celebrate its new community center and as part of its Art in Public Places program, the Village of Royal Palm Beach has commissioned a new large-scale sculpture called “Rooted.” The 11-foot-tall aluminum artwork will resemble a tree, with the artist carving into its branches 50 sentences and phrases that describe the warm feelings the villagers have toward their home.

Residents of Royal Palm Beach were asked last week by sculptor Beth Nybeck: “What memories come to mind when you think of home?”

Nybeck is an internationally recognized sculptor and public artist. She creates elegant metal artworks that address the human connection to the world around us. She is interested in activating her sculptures through public interaction and invites residents to participate in her creative process.

The artist traveled from her studio in Kansas City to Royal Palm Beach last week to engage with residents, hosting three information sessions where she asked villagers about their feelings about their community.

“The village announced two listening sessions, both at Royal Palm Beach Commons Park during 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 their home,” she said.

The aim of her work is to collect phrases and sentences that she can then incorporate into the sculpture.

Betty Lantiere has lived in Royal Palm Beach for over 35 years. She has called the Capstone at Royal Palm senior living community home home her home for the past three years.

“When I think of home, I think of family gatherings at the holidays where we all sit around the big table with flowers on it. That’s why I submitted the phrase ‘love in full bloom,'” Lantiere said.

Marilyn Walsh, a retired teacher who also lives at Capstone, thought similarly, referring to “center of love.” When asked to elaborate, she said, “The funny thing is, when I think of home, I think of home as the center of everything.”

The artist collected numerous ideas, expressions and phrases both at the Capstone and during outreach in the park. Fifty of the best expressions will be cut into a 3/8-inch thick aluminum plate and incorporated into the sculpture. The village has veto power over inappropriate or controversial expressions.

Over a hundred entries were received. Entries include: “Bike rides, beautiful sunsets, bird watching, evenings spent together on the porch, chatting around the kitchen table at family reunions, great friends (at every stage of life), favorite foods in the cupboard, warm smiles, baking bread, walls covered in memories from the past and present, Sunday dinners, the smell of orange blossoms under a salmon-colored sky, and always having a place to return to.”

The sculpture “Rooted” is one of the fruits of the village’s “Art in Public Space” program.

The Village has implemented the Public Art section of the Code to improve the quality of the visual environment in the community.

Mario Lopez Pisani, the Village’s public art specialist, explains, “The Village’s Public Art program provides four key benefits: 1) It improves public access to art and an aesthetically designed environment, thereby promoting public understanding and awareness of the visual arts, 2) it contributes to civic pride and economic development, 3) it improves the climate for artistic creativity in the Village, and 4) it enriches the public environment for both residents and visitors to the area through the inclusion of the visual arts.”

Nybeck’s large-scale metal sculptures can be seen in parks, universities, airports and downtown squares across the country. She was very pleased with the submissions she received during her three village events.

“Every town has its own vibe, culture and experience,” she said. “I was delighted to speak with so many Royal Palm Beach residents. Some of the submissions were somewhat expected, but we received some truly unique feedback.”

“Home” and the sculpture mean different things to different people. Krista Manuel, who has lived here for 12 years, praised the effort. “I love this art program and I’m so glad the artist is getting involved,” she said. “I love living in Royal Palm Beach because I have cool neighbors there and because there are so many parks and programs for my kids.”

Meanwhile, local resident Virginia Knebel said one word comes to mind when she thinks of “home”: music. That’s no surprise, since Knebel is a retired piano teacher.

The sculpture will be made in the artist’s studio in Kansas City and then brought to Royal Palm Beach. In November of this year, “Rooted” will be installed near the reflecting pool at the north entrance of the Royal Palm Beach Village Hall. The total budget for the artwork is $100,000.

City Councillor Jan Rodusky, who has been supporting the Art in Public Places programme since 2016, said: “I am excited about our Art in Public Places programme and especially about this wonderful piece ‘Rooted’.”

For more work by artist Beth Nybeck, visit www.bethnybeck.com.