CLEAR LAKE, Iowa — The Clear Lake Arts Center says two sculptures at the Sukup Lakeside Sculpture Garden have been vandalized this year.
The arts center says a sculpture called “Being Liquid” by Amelia Blue Gotera was significantly damaged in April. Then, in the early morning hours of July 30, another sculpture in the garden, “Platonic Soulmate” by Oliva Donel, was also vandalized.
Both sculptures were created by University of Northern Iowa students as part of the Public Art Incubator Program. This marks the second year the Clear Lake Arts Center has worked with the program to bring emerging public artists and contemporary sculpture to the community.
The arts center says while the incidents were at first believed to be thoughtless acts rather than intentional, the repeated damage is discouraging and has a lasting impact on the artists and community. The center says public art is created to inspire, challenge and connect people, and when artwork is damaged, it discounts the hours, thought, craftsmanship and vulnerability that artists invest in their work.
The arts center says the financial cost of repairing these works is significant, but the emotional impact reaches much further. These acts affect the artists, the arts center and every community member and visitor who values access to art in public spaces.
Anyone with information regarding the vandalism that happened in the early morning hours of July 30 should contact the Clear Lake Police Department at 641-357-2186. The arts center is accepting donations to help offset repair costs.
Photo courtesy of the Clear Lake Arts Center.