Monday, March 27, 2000
Project would link art, city
BY RANDY McNUTT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
HAMILTON — Lawyer and civic booster Harry Wilks wants Hamilton to shape a new image as the City of Sculptures.
He says he has found supporters in Butler County and Hamilton.
“It takes decades to do this, but it will happen,” he said. “And as the years go by, our reputation as an art center will increase throughout the world.”
Mr. Wilks knows sculpture. He founded Pyramid Hill Sculpture Park near Hamilton on Ohio 128 in St. Clair Township.
Pyramid Hill, which has 40 sculptures, is a 250-acre reserve that attracts international attention.
“I worried that someday the land would be purchased and subdivided,” Mr. Wilks said. “I had to find a way to save the land. Our board of trustees is committed to buying other land that touches us. Of course, I also did it for the sculpture.”
In addition to Pyramid Hill, the City of Sculptures would have a lot to offer. The Fitton Center for Creative Arts has a man and boy. A new sculpture of Lentil and his dog, characters in Robert McCloskey's childrens' books, will be ready in a new downtown park in 2001.
Another piece sits in a tiny park on Main Street at the bridge over the Great Miami River. Yet another, 65 feet high, is to be erected at the new One Renaissance Plaza downtown by midsummer.
Councilman Richard Holzberger said an informal poll of council members shows support for Mr. Wilks' idea, but council hasn't approved a resolution. “I'm sure that will come in the near future.”
Council also is considering naming Ohio 128 the Pyramid Hill Boulevard.
“We were astonished to learn that it has more than 100,000 visitors a year,” Mr. Holzberger said. “With the new-look Hamilton, I think his (Mr. Wilks') idea will fit nicely. This could benefit the Cincinnati area. I think the idea is exciting.”
Rick H. Jones, the Fitton's executive director, said Mr. Wilks' plan will work.
“I think it's appropriate and timely,” he said. “We already have a lot of sculpture and there's a lot more in our future.”
If county and city officials pass resolutions declaring Hamilton as the City of Sculptures, maps will be printed to show the location of each piece. A local committee will be formed to select pieces from all over the world.
“We'll have sculptors coming into town to work, so tourists can actually see them,” Mr. Wilks said. “We'll have new sculpture coming in all the time.
“This is really a tourist thing; I expect tens of thousands of people. Things are changing in Hamilton. We're losing our factories; Ohio Casualty is moving out. We need to revitalize Hamilton and this is a great way to do it.”
But Mr. Wilks' ambitions for the city are larger:
“Everybody is enthusiastic — the city, the chamber of commerce, the art center. For once, the county and city agree on something. It's a great day for this area.”
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