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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 19, 2016
CONTACT: Erica Smith
Director of Marketing & Public Relations
863.734.1210; esmith@boktower.org
PHOTO AND VIDEO ALERT
Renowned Sculptor and Mosaic Artist Kevin Carman Continues River of Stone Legacy At Entrance to Bok Tower Gardens' New Children's Garden
LAKE WALES, Fla. - Conceived and constructed in the mid 1990’s, The River of Stone pathway has become one of the most unique elements at Bok Tower Gardens’ Visitor Center. The tradition continues as celebrated artist Kevin Carman painstakingly installs over 100,000 hand-selected pebbles for a spectacular mosaic pathway at the entrance to the new Children’s Garden, which opens September 10.
An Atlanta native, Kevin Carman is a self-taught, multi-medium artist who has been creating and exhibiting nationally since 1994, and his compelling works have received many honors. Carman collects the majority of materials he uses to produce on-site installations, mosaics and various private commissions. His work has been recently showcased in Maggy Howarth’s book, “The Complete Pebble Mosaic Handbook.”
Leaving no stone unturned, Carman has collected over 150,000 pebbles from beaches and rivers near his home in Central California, and he anticipates his design will use at least 100,000 of his hand- selected assortment. “I prefer the word pebble, instead of rock or stone, as this project is a mosaic installation and pebbles are the medium of choice. I am constantly searching for unique shapes and colorations and this process deeply connects me to each piece of the artwork,” Carman said.
His inspiration for the new pebble pathway design comes from his passion for the ocean. A resident of both states, Carman owns homes in Ventura, California and Sarasota, Florida. “Pebbles are static, hard structures, but as I select each shape in the mosaic, the art becomes a fluid representation of flowing water,” Carman said. “My inspiration comes from the ripple effect that occurs as drops of water expand across a surface. The pebbles embody this fluidity and the design will grow as the path expands.”
Carman’s work will include 360 sq. ft. of pathway and incorporates artwork of a tortoise and another native Florida animal still to be determined in the swirling and rippling design. The animal art will be created from pebbles of jade, jasper, rhyolite and serpentine. “I have also sculpted several other animal shapes that will be installed around the Children’s Garden walkway,” Carman said. Carman is joined by fellow pebble artist Alf Elder of Daytona, Florida who is assisting with the completion of the project. Carman estimates the pathway installation will be finished by June 10 a few months before the grand opening of the Children’s Garden.
Bok Tower Gardens’ president David Price was instrumental in selecting Carman as the artist to complete this very important pebble mosaic. “We wanted to create a spectacular entrance to our new gardens and Kevin was the natural choice,” Price said. “His work fits our goal to provide an experience for guests that encourages wonder, exploration and discovery.”
“Kevin’s unique perspective accomplishes our daily goal of making Edward Bok’s vision of a more beautiful world a reality. The pebble mosaic is the perfect embodiment of that guiding principle,” Price said.
Featuring nearly three acres of garden experiences, the Children’s Garden is the final element in what will be the largest expansion in Bok Tower Gardens’ history made possible by the Preserve the Legacy, Steward the Future Campaign and the generosity of members and donors. The expansion includes the Children’s Garden, the Edible Garden, Outdoor Kitchen, Sand Hill Prairie, Boardwalk, and Bog.
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