New Sculptures Coming to Downtown Winter Haven

Humback Whale Tail by Thomas Givens

Ten new sculptures have been selected to be displayed in the Central Park area of Downtown Winter Haven, and they’ve already started to arrive!

The new sculptures include full scale humpback whale tail made from laminated reclaimed mahogany, a large group of objects that look like oversized children’s toys, a female figure made from copper leaves, a piece made from three twisted number “7s”, and several beautiful abstract pieces. The selected artists and sculptures to be displayed are listed below. You can also go to Polk Museum of Art’s website to see images of all of the pieces that will be coming.          

James M. Bojarzuk, (Orlando, FL), Big Ideas, Mixed: Foam core with Portland cement, wood, fiberglass, and copper, 7.5’ x 16’ x 16’

Robert Coon, (Vero Beach, FL), My Big Red, Painted aluminum, 15’ x 7’ x 6’

Thomas Givens, (Charlottesville, VA), Humpback Whale Tail, Reclaimed Honduras mahogany lamination, 11’ x 17’ x 9’

Gary Gresko, (Oriental, NC), Eve, Copper leaves, 9’ with pedestal

James Irving, (Morrisville, VT), Wishbone, Painted steel, 4’ x 3’ x 8’

Bruce A. Niemi, (Kenosha, WI), Seven, Seven, Seven, Stainless Steel, 14.6’ x 4’ x 4’

Beth Nybeck, (Cedar Falls, IA), Dire Enticement, Aluminum, 7.5’ x 4’ x 2’

Duke Oursler, (Pooler, GA), Dream Ladder, Steel and wood, 13’ x 5’ x 4’ 

Adam C. Walls, (Red Springs, NC), Rings, Steel, 9’ x 7’ x 7’

Bill Wood, (Fairfax, VA), A Little Less Than Meets The Eye, Fiberglass and aluminum, 7’ x 9’ x 6’

Bruce Niemi with Seven, Seven, Seven, which is already installed.

The first sculpture has already been installed, and the rest will come in March. They’ll be on display until February of next year.

The sculptures are part of the Ninth Annual Florida Outdoor Sculpture Competition, which is a joint project of Polk Museum of Art and the City of Winter Haven. The Sculpture Competition Started in Lakeland, and then three years ago, Winter Haven became a part of it. Now, Lakeland has changed the format of their sculpture display, and Winter Haven has the honor of hosting the Sculpture Competition on its own.

A party will be held on April 9th in Downtown Winter Haven to celebrate the new sculptures. There will be music, food for purchase, and entertainment. Plus, everyone who comes can vote for their favorite sculpture.

For more information about the sculptures or the Florida Outdoor Sculpture Competition, call 863-688-7743,