Sculpture Exhibition grand opening celebrated Phase V and Phase VI artists and their works 

On Saturday, Sept. 18, the City Arts hosted the grand opening for Phase V and VI of the Sculpture Exhibition in Civic Center Park. Phase V sculptures were installed in July 2020, however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and restrictions on large public gatherings, the grand opening for Phase V was postponed. This year they combined Phase V with the grand opening for Phase VI sculptures.

On February 9, 2021, the Newport Beach City Council approved 10 new pieces for Phase VI of the Sculpture Exhibition in Civic Center Park, along with three alternates. Installation, managed by Arts Orange County, was completed in June 2021. Phase VI sculptures were installed in June 2021 and will be on loan through June 2023.

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Photos by Lana Johnson

Newport Beach Arts Commissioners and Sculpture Garden Artists (L-R back row) Newport Beach Arts Commissioner Barbara George, artist Ron Whitacre (Phase V and VI), artist Steve Rieman (Phase VI), artist Oleg Lobykin (Phase VI), artist Andra Broekelschen (Phase V), Nancy Mooslin (Phase V), Marisabel Bazan (Phase VI) and NB Arts Commissioner Leonard Simon. (L-R front row center) NB Arts Commission Vice Chair Marie Little and NB Arts Commission Chair Arlene Greer.

The celebration began with an invitational luncheon in the Civic Center Community Room, followed by a reception in City Hall Council Chambers. In attendance were Newport Beach Mayor Brad Avery and Councilmembers Noah Blom, Joy Brenner, Diane Dixon, Will O’Neill, former Mayor Don Webb and former councilman Jeff Herdman. Newport Beach City Arts Commissioners were also in attendance, along with seven of the sculpture artists and many community notables.

In council chambers, Arlene Greer, chair of the Newport Beach Arts Commission, welcomed attendees, followed by remarks from Mayor Avery. Rick Stein, president and CEO of Arts Orange County, provided an overview of the Sculpture Exhibition, along with Nicholas Thurkette, Arts OC program coordinator, who shared a short commentary about each sculpture.

Everyone was then invited to tour the Sculpture Garden including the general public. A children’s art activity was set up outside of City Hall, courtesy of Art in Motion for Kids.

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The Uzun family (L-R): Volkan, Aren, Peri and Cigdem at the art activity table

The exhibition has become a “museum without walls” that offers the temporary display of public art in a unique, naturalistic setting, appealing to residents and guests of all ages and sensibilities. 

Admission to the park and parking are free.

Civic Center Park is located at 100 Civic Center Drive, Newport Beach. For more information about the sculptures and the artists, go here.

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“Woodpeckers” by artist Michael McLaughlin is among the sculptures in Phase VI. His depiction of a mother and her nesting chicks at eye-level view was created in bronze and stone.