Josephine Sculpture Park in Frankfort, Kentucky
Founder Melanie VanHouten saved part of her grandparents’ farm to create the park, which is free to the public. Photo: Tim Webb
“Felix Culpa” by Nicole Bovasso of Jacksonville, Florida, at the Josephine Sculpture Park, Frankfort, Kentucky. Photo: Tim Webb
“Monarch Throne Bench” by Scot and Laura Kellersberger, at the Josephine Sculpture Park. Photo: Tim Webb
“The Conversationalist” by Chakaia Booker at the Josephine Sculpture Park, Frankfort, Kentucky. Photo: Tim Webb
Art intern Josh Tromble, Malone, New York, works on an installment for the Josephine Sculpture Park. Photo: Tim Webb
“Ceann-Daoraich,” a whimsical sculpture by Gillian Harper at the Josephine Sculpture Park, Frankfort, Kentucky. Photo: Tim Webb
Checking out the“Ceann-Daoraich” at the Josephine Sculpture Park. Photo: Tim Webb
“Graphologyhenge” is an earthwork and graffiti installation by Peyton Scott Russell at the Josephine Sculpture Park. Photo: Tim Webb
David Peters, Florida, created this geometric form of steel and cast iron at the Josephine Sculpture Park. Photo: Tim Webb
A mural by Zoe Green at the Josephine Sculpture Park, Frankfort, Kentucky. Photo: Tim Webb
The “Clarity Vehicle” by Mollie Rabiner at Josephine Sculpture Park. Photo: Tim Webb
“E.F-001 (Your Globe)” turns, by artist intern Jonathan Forrence. Photo: Josephine Sculpture Park
A traveling foundry pours aluminum into molds that visitors created at the Fall Arts Festival. Photo: Josephine Sculpture Park
This dome by Stephen Paine and Mary Ratcliffe can be explored. Photo: Josephine Sculpture Park
Field trips to Josephine Sculpture Park are designed for each group’s interests and curriculum. Photo: Josephine Sculpture Park
Looking for somewhere to go to escape and awaken your senses?
Head to Josephine Sculpture Park, a free, 30-acre public park at 3355 Lawrenceburg Road, Frankfort.
Fine arts teacher Melanie VanHouten, along with her husband B.J. Duvall, returned to Kentucky to create the nonprofit park in 2009. Her goal was to save part of the 100-acre tobacco farm that her grandparents owned in the ’60s.
So, just who is this Josephine?
VanHouten says her grandmother always made things with her hands and encouraged her to do so as a kid.
“She had a huge garden and did a lot of canning,” says VanHouten. “Josephine had a double major in math and home economics—she helped run my Granddaddy Art’s business.”
Open from dawn to dusk, the park is designed so all ages can explore natural lands and interact with 70 sculptures and graffiti murals designed by artists from many countries. Nicole Bovasso, Jacksonville, Florida, created the dress sculpture at right. The park hosts groups up to 250.
Volunteers and donations are welcome, which help support monthly events and programs. Catch a Nature Tour—the first Sunday of each month— or the popular Night Sky presentation and observation. Music events include SoundScape! in June and the Barn Raisin’ in August. Get hands-on with art at September’s Fall Arts Festival.
“Our goal was to build a place where people can imagine themselves being anything,” says VanHouten. “If I can build a place like this, then anyone can do anything.”
