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The North Carolina Arboretum Reflects on Past and Celebrates Future with Unveiling of First Larger-than-Life-Sized Sculpture of Frederick Law Olmsted
ASHEVILLE, N.C. (February 15, 2016) – The North Carolina Arboretum, a public garden and an affiliate of the University of North Carolina system, will unveil the first larger-than-life-sized sculpture of Frederick Law Olmsted, the father of American landscape architecture, on April 22, 2016, on its 434-acre property located just south of Asheville, N.C. A dream many years in the making, the bronze sculpture of Olmsted was crafted by internationally-known artist Zenos Frudakis, whose most recognized works include “Freedom” in Philadelphia, the Honor Guard sculpture at the U.S. Air Force Memorial in Arlington, Virginia, and the iconic Payne Stewart sculpture at the Pinehurst Golf Resort in North Carolina.
The North Carolina Arboretum commissioned Frudakis to complete the Olmsted statue due to his expansive portfolio of distinguished societal leaders, including Benjamin Franklin, Albert Einstein, and Sir Winston Churchill. The project benefitted from an abundance of planning and has taken nearly two years to complete. Frudakis meticulously studied biographical books and films, and numerous historical photographs of Olmsted to gain an understanding of his stature and characteristics. Additionally, he consulted with Witold Rybczynski, author of the recent best-selling book entitled “A Clearing in the Distance: Frederick Law Olmsted and America in the 19th Century” to learn more about the life of Olmsted and his widespread influence in community planning and design.
“It is an honor and privilege for me to have been given this opportunity by The North Carolina Arboretum Society to sculpt the creative genius, Frederick Law Olmsted,” stated artist Zenos Frudakis.
Olmsted’s multifaceted career encompassed surveying, engineering, chemistry, journalism, economics, management, and farming. His early perspective on landscape design was formed after a six-month walking tour of the British Isles and Europe in 1850 where he crisscrossed the countryside and visited numerous parks and private estates. In 1858, Olmsted and Calvert Vaux, an accomplished English architect, won the design competition for New York City’s Central Park. This was Olmsted’s first professional design project and is thought by many as the foundation of landscape architecture as both a profession and fine art.
Olmsted and his firm completed more than 500 projects during his tenure, including designs for 40 academic institutions, dozens of public parks and parkways, landscapes at national monuments such as Yosemite and Niagara Falls, and the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago. His final grand project led him to the mountains of western North Carolina during the late 1800s where he designed the landscape of the 125,000-acre Biltmore Estate for George Vanderbilt. Inspired by the rich, indigenous flora of the southern Appalachian Mountains, Olmsted sought to create the most comprehensive research arboretum in the country on the Estate. Though his original plans for the arboretum never came to fruition, his vision served as an impetus for The North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, established in 1986 by the North Carolina General Assembly.
“Not only was Olmsted interested in aesthetics and the environment, but he was also invested in social wellness and economic sustainability,” said George Briggs, landscape architect and executive director of The North Carolina Arboretum. “He was a man ahead of his time whose influence continues to live on in urban landscapes across our nation.” Olmsted’s ideals continue to form the foundation of modern-day landscape architecture and The North Carolina Arboretum is located off the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 393. From I-26, take Exit 33 and follow Blue Ridge Parkway signs for two miles to the entrance ramp. Please visit www.ncarboretum.org for parking fees and hours of operation.
can be seen prominently throughout The North Carolina Arboretum’s property. “From supporting new place- based sustainable economic sectors, to educating students and the public about landscape design and the design process, to serving as a resource for understanding the outdoors and ecological diversity, the Arboretum continues to find ways to honor Olmsted’s national landscape legacy,” continued Briggs.
The Olmsted sculpture will be placed in the Arboretum’s Blue Ridge Court, where background vistas of the Bent Creek Experimental Forest of the Pisgah National Forest, an area once owned by Vanderbilt, provide a fitting setting. The bronze piece stands eight feet tall and will be sited on a large natural stone. Using his artistic license and vision, Frudakis created a bronzed conceptual plan that is held in the hands of Olmsted. The plan represents his living legacy of landscape architectural process and celebrates the foresight of Olmsted and others who have envisioned an arboretum in Western North Carolina.
The North Carolina Arboretum will host a public unveiling of the statue on April 22, 2016, at 5:00 p.m. In honor of Olmsted’s philosophy of creating opportunities for people of all socioeconomic levels, the Arboretum will offer free parking for guests starting at 4:00 p.m. that day. Artist Zenos Frudakis will be in attendance to meet with guests and offer a short talk about the project. On Saturday, April 23, 2016, the Arboretum will host a special, family-friendly day of events in honor of the statue’s installation and will celebrate Olmsted’s 194th birthday on April 26th.
“Olmsted and Frudakis are each best known for the singular artistry and integrity of their mediums,” continued Briggs. “It is wonderful that these two creative giants from distant generations have intersected in forming such a monumental work of art that will be located here in Asheville.”
About The North Carolina Arboretum
Each year more than 500,000 visitors experience the Arboretum's gardens, trails, exhibits and plant shows, educational programs, demonstrations, and lectures. The Arboretum's ability to meet its mission and enrich the visitor experience is made possible by a community of supporting resources – from members, volunteers and staff to state and local funds, tribute gifts, grants and community partners.
The central mission of The North Carolina Arboretum, an affiliate institution of the 17-campus University of North Carolina system, is to cultivate connections between people and plants. A standard $12 per vehicle parking fee is required for non-members. Special events and after-hours activities may require additional fees. For more information, please call (828) 665-2492 or visit www.ncarboretum.org.
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The North Carolina Arboretum is located off the Blue Ridge Parkway at Milepost 393. From I-26, take Exit 33 and follow Blue Ridge Parkway signs for two miles to the entrance ramp. Please visit www.ncarboretum.org for parking fees and hours of operation.