Newport Beach Refreshes Civic Center Park with 10 New Sculptures

Newport Beach’s Civic Center Park added to its rotating display of large-scale sculptures over the summer, presenting art in an exciting and approachable way.

“Interplay” by Pamela Ambrosio. Photo by Ashley Ryan, Culture OC

Nestled along perfectly manicured paths and wooden bridges, among flowers and other flora, the Sculpture Exhibition in Civic Center Park is a relaxing escape for Newport Beach residents, eager tourists and local businesspeople that wander the hilly terrain on their lunch breaks.

It’s been a decade since the Newport Beach Arts Commission launched the exhibition, essentially an art gallery without walls that showcases a rotating lineup of impressive sculptures in the heart of the city.

Although Newport Beach isn’t as renowned for its creativity as the art colony of Laguna Beach next door, the city has taken steps to change that in recent years, and this exhibition is possibly the biggest step of all. This is the ninth iteration of the project, which features 10 new installations that were positioned in the park in June.

“Newport Beach is such a special place and that they provide public art for their residents is [just] one of the reasons why,” said Pamela Ambrosio, a metal sculptor based in Arizona whose nature-inspired public art and gallery pieces can be found throughout the West.

The artists chosen come from all over the country, introducing variety to the local art scene and exposing visitors to works they may not view otherwise. The latest sculptures were selected based on artistic merit as well as durability, as they will remain in the park for the next two years. As part of the process, nearly 30 finalists were organized into an online survey that gave art enthusiasts the chance to voice their opinion on the pieces that were ultimately chosen, with more than 1,800 votes cast.

“Taking part in this exhibition means a lot to me – especially making the cut through a number of … rounds and the last round being selected by citizens of Newport Beach,” said Vojtech Blazejovsky, a Czech-born artist whose piece “Heavy Landing” is featured in this phase of the exhibit. “I find this [process to be] very democratic … and [a] very humbling one, too.”

While there are numerous benefits to showcasing new art pieces in the great outdoors, the Sculpture Exhibition in Civic Center Park has also been a positive point for the city, which borrows the sculptures instead of buying them to ensure cost-effective access to creative works.

The Artwork in the Sculpture Exhibition in Civic Center Park: Phase IX

‘Interplay’ by Pamela Ambrosio

Colors and patterns abound in this vibrant sculpture, which draws from the artist’s love for mid-century modern shapes and design with angular steel painted in reds, yellows, blues and greens “I offset the clean, simple lines of the piece with a bold surface design that draws attention and interest from close up or from a distance,” Ambrosio says. (Photo at the top of this story.)

See more from this artist: aamametalarts.com

‘Heavy Landing’ by Vojtech Blazejovsky

Two delicate creatures come together in this metal sculpture, which portrays a dragonfly landing on a dandelion – inspired by the artist’s love for nature and, specifically, the insect world. “As a child, I used to watch cartoons where [the] main characters were insects,” Blazejovsky says. “I like to come back to this childhood memory.” The particular piece enjoys a bit of movement in the wind, which just adds to its organic theme.

See more from this artist: vojtechblazejovsky.com

‘Trillium Bus Stop Bench’ by Matt Cartwright

Cartwright, a designer and fabricator from Portland, Oregon, originally planned this piece to adorn a bus stop, but its new home in Newport Beach is the ideal fit. Geometric shapes come together to produce a flower, with a green powder-coated steel stem and white-and-orange aluminum bloom.

See more from this artist: cartwrightdesign.com

‘Millefolium’ by Catherine Daley

Delicate stainless steel yarrow flowers sway in the breeze in this minimalist sculpture, reminiscent of blooms swaying in a field. The artist intended to create something that would encourage visitors to connect with the local environment, and Civic Center Park is just the place, serving as a haven of tranquility minutes away from the breezy coastline.

See more from this artist: catherinedaleyart.com

‘Glee’ by Cindy Debold

In a world that is filled with stressors and often lacks a proper work-life balance, this stainless steel piece from Texas-based artist Debold is a reminder to live life to the fullest and embrace happiness, however possible. Its fluid line and inviting shape perfectly capture the feeling of glee that it is meant to evoke.

See more from this artist: cindydebold.com

‘Growing Wings’ by Hilde DeBruyne

Although its vibrant red butterfly wings catch your eye instantly, this sculpture has a deeper meaning, designed to inspire all who view it through the lens of metamorphosis. “It is a powerful metaphor to our own lives, symbolizing personal growth, change and transformation,” DeBruyne says. “As a Belgian American artist living in Iowa, I am very excited about spreading my wings to California. I hope it inspires residents of Newport Beach to embrace positive change.” Walk around the piece to explore its intricacies from different perspectives.

See more from this artist: hildedebruyne.com

“Natural Wonders” by Michele Moushey Dale.

Video by the Peoria Art Guild, created 2022 when this piece was on display in that city.

‘Natural Wonders’ by Michele Moushey Dale

As with many of the other sculptures in this wave of the project, this piece focuses on the beauty of nature. But rather than depicting flowers or plant life, the bronze casting showcases the interconnection between humans and animals, highlighting their ability to live in harmony with one another.

‘Duality’ by Giuseppe Palumbo

Though simple in concept, this bronze sculpture is rich in connotation. Two figures steady themselves on opposite ends of a beam above an open circle, revealing the importance of maintaining harmony as well as displaying the importance of relying on our fellow humans to keep our communities balanced. “The circle has no beginning or end, representing unity and completeness,” Palumbo says. “As humans, we strive to balance the duality that exists within us, seeking a higher self.”

See more from this artist: gallerygiuseppe.com

‘Gecko’ by Doug Snider

Easily the most vibrant of the new collection, this 2,500-pound lizard is inspired by the brilliant colors of the spirit animals that permeate Mexican culture. The gecko has made the trip north to Orange County from its permanent home in San Diego’s Balboa Park.

See more from this artist: dsniderceramics.com

‘Reaching Man’ by Ron Whitacre

Crafted by the late Whitacre of neighboring Laguna Beach, this striking statue features a figure that is more than 10 feet tall, made from welded steel coated in automotive paint. This towering sculpture evokes the power of man as he aspires for more, stretching toward the sky in an impressive display of the human physique.

See more from this artist: whitacrestudio.com