Where Artwork Grows
The Leona M. and Jacob E. Nyenhuis Sculpture Garden complements the Kruizenga Art Museum, itself designed as a piece of interactive sculpture, by extending the celebration of art beyond the building’s walls to the grounds that gently surround it. Dedicated on Saturday, Oct. 14, during Homecoming Weekend, the space features five works in the Abstract Modernist tradition, with room for more.
The garden is named for lead donors Dr. Jacob Nyenhuis, who is provost emeritus and professor emeritus of classics and interim director of the A.C. Van Raalte Institute, and Leona Nyenhuis for their many years of service to Hope.
“Ignite” by Kevin Barrett (American, b. 1962) 2017 Welded stainless steel Standing approximately 12-feet high, the sinuous sculpture suggests a flame and represents the intellectual curiosity and passion for learning that are embodied by the students, faculty and staff of Hope College. Commissioned through the generosity of the Devine Foundation; David and Jane Armstrong; Tad W. ’92 and Andrea De Graaf; and John and Kristen Courtney. Kevin Barrett is a New York artist well known for his organic abstract sculptures. His work can be found in private, corporate and museum collections around the country. Kevin is the son of Bill Barrett, whose sculpture Wall Relief: Opus A hangs in the Jack H. Miller Music Building.
Peter ChinniNatura Extensa, 1965bronze
Midwinter Horn, by Billy Mayer, is a piece created from aluminum and polyurethane enamel in 1988. The sculpture was originally commissioned for the campus of Christ Community Church in Spring Lake, Michigan. When the church closed and relocated, the sculpture was donated to Hope College by Richard ’52 and Margaret Feldmann ’52 Kruizenga. It is located in the Leona M. and Jacob E. Nyenhuis Sculpture Garden, outside the Kruizenga Art Museum.
Pulse of the Morning II, by Murray Dewart is a piece created from wood, copper and steel in 1993. The sculpture takes its title from the poem of Maya Angelou. The sculpture is based on a sculpture that was originally commissioned by the American Fertility Society. It is located in the Leona M. and Jacob E. Nyenhuis Sculpture Garden and is located outside the Kruizenga Art Museum. It is a gift of Robert ’51 and Marjorie ’53 Visscher.
Todd Erickson ’81Ziibi Elpidos, 2017bronze