The Bee Cave Sculpture Park opened its first phase with a grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday. It was the perfect way to introduce a beautiful new park to the community.
This park is truly a hidden gem, tucked behind the Police Department near the Galleria shops. The large, 7-acre natural area with enormous oak tress and a pond somehow seems a world away. Wandering through the paths admiring the sculptures you’d never know there’s a shopping center just a stones throw away. It’s a mini escape – a convenient place for residents and visitors of Bee Cave to enjoy nature and art in one beautiful setting.
The Bee Cave Arts Foundation worked for years to bring this vision to life, and as I heard several times on Saturday, “this is only the beginning.” The Sculpture Park currently includes 11 sculptures, some permanent and some rotating, with plans already in the works for Phase II. A playground designed by artist GiGi Miller, whose colorful “Leap of Faith” frog sculpture is a hit with the kids, will be visually appealing with vibrant colors and whimsical touches.
I enjoyed talking with Miller, and especially appreciated the fact that she took time to interact with and answer my children’s questions. She tugged at my heart when she told them she needed volunteers to help make artwork for the playground, and did they want to help? Talk about making it a community project and building art appreciation at a young age! You can’t fake that kind of passion – and every single artist and foundation member I spoke to felt the same way. Though everybody has a different story and each sculpture unique, they all have something in common – the desire to improve their community through art.
Leap of Faith sculpture, donated by Artist GiGi Miller
Miller believes art should be intertwined with the environment, for both children and adults to experience and appreciate on a daily basis (instead of only during rare field trip or with admission fees). Art and natural beauty should be alive in everyday life, and The Sculpture Garden brings that to Bee Cave. It helps with the overall sense of community, as the park is easily accessible and open for all to enjoy, free of charge, seven days a week.
Artist GiGi Miller describes plans for the playscape to aspiring artists
Another striking sculpture is “The Beehive” by Susan Gulla-O’Leary. At the grand opening dedication Gulla-O’Leary spoke about the history of Bee Cave and how legend tells of caves large enough for a man to stand inside. She felt it was important to have a landmark to represent the city’s unique history, and the end result is breathtaking.
One innovative way the Arts Foundations is currently raising funds is through the sale of 40 worker and drone bees that will be permanently affixed to The Beehive sculpture. After the ribbon cutting on Saturday, Bee Cave Mayor Caroline Murphy had the honor of placing the “Queen Bee” on the hive. It was a neat presentation and a great way to give supporters the opportunity to get involved. It’s sort of like buying a brick, but there’s something cool and unique about sponsoring a bronze bee. I love the concept. As of now there are still bee sponsorships available (prices $175 and up) – click here for more info.
Bee Cave Mayor Caroline Murphy and Bee Cave Arts Foundation President Chad Bockius participate in the Bee Cave Sculpture Park ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, November 9th
So next time you’re out running errands or feeling frazzled from the holiday shopping take a breather and visit the Bee Cave Sculpture Park. It’s a perfect spot for kids to burn off energy and adults to get re-energized. Take a picnic. Take a walk. Notice things. Breathe. Enjoy.
The Bee Cave Sculpture Park is located across from the Bee Cave Police Department off of Highway 71. (map)
