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New Class of Sculpture Park Docents Begins at GSU


Genesis

The 2009 docent class enjoys their orientation tour of the park in May. (l-r: Jacqueline Lewis, Flossmoor; Jane Castle, Crete; Peggy Brown, Matteson; Dennis Condon, Park Forest; Leona Calvin, Flossmoor; Susan Calabrese, Homewood; Colleen Newquist, Park Forest. (Not Pictured: Joyce Horath, Beecher; Pat Muehring, Crete)

University Park, IL–(ENEWSPF)– Volunteer docents at the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park (NMSP) on the campus of Governors State University help park visitors to the park understand its 26 pieces of art, and the meaning and motivations behind the art and the artists. Training for the 2010 class of docents begins February 4. Volunteers interested in learning about art and sharing their knowledge are encouraged to join.

“Docents lead tours, host programs and receptions, and act as ambassadors of the park,” explained Geoff Bates, Director and Curator of the NMSP. “This is a great way to get involved, to learn about contemporary sculpture, and meet lots of interesting people.”

Docent orientation consists of seven evening sessions spread over a 12-week period and a morning tour of the sculpture park. Session topics include park history, an introduction to the history of sculpture, presentations on each piece in the collection, and pointers on how to conduct tours.

Docent training sessions are conducted on Thursdays, beginning February 4 and continuing through April 15, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The final session is a tour of the park on Saturday, April 17, from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Light refreshments and materials are provided. Advance registration and a $30 fee are required.

Governors State University is located at 1 University Parkway, University Park, Illinois.

For more information on the park docent program and other volunteer opportunities, call (708) 534-4486, email [email protected], or visit the park website atwww.govst.edu/sculpture.


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