Acclaimed Artist Welcomes D49 Art Students for a First Look at New Sculpture
Acclaimed Artist Welcomes D49 Art Students for a First Look at New Sculpture
The sentry standing at the threshold of a new neighborhood in School District 49 is a 15-foot-tall horse made of steel. It is a sculpture of a percheron, a breed of draught horse, well known to Colorado Springs at the turn of the century. The neighborhood is taking shape near Woodmen Road and Banning Lewis Parkway and shares the name Percheron with the sculpture marking its location.
Belle, the percheron sculpture by artist Andy Scott
The artist who designed and built the sculpture, Andy Scott, welcomed about 30 students from Vista Ridge High School for an up-close look at his work and a full discussion about working as an artist.
“This horse is thousands of pieces of metal all put together, and I couldn't imagine how much work and how much you have to know about physics and all the different subjects that build into doing this,” noted Jade Anderson, a VRHS art student. “And it's beautiful.”
Andy Scott, artist and sculptor
Brandon Ager, VRHS art teacher, helped assemble a group of students currently studying art, photography and broadcast media to participate in the field trip. Those who attended were encouraged to create their own work incorporating the percheron sculpture. As some students prepared sketches, others interviewed Mr. Scott to complete a video story assignment.
“As an art teacher, we get out of the classroom to actually get to see something that was created in our backyard,” Ager said. “So it gives hopefully a little bit more of a connection for the students in the classroom.”
Andy Scott is based out of Los Angeles, whose work is on display around the world. Among his most well-known sculptures of work horses are the 100-foot-tall Kelpies, which can be seen in his native Scotland.
“Art really can have a transformative, income generating, and economically changing role in society,” Scott said. “And that's why I think it's a fantastic opportunity to talk to these youngsters and answer any of the questions that they may have, and just give them hope that maybe one day, if they feel so inclined, they can make a living from it.”
For National Arts in Education Week, Sept. 7-13, District 49 is taking a look at how our students are participating in the arts.
