Mother Sculpture by Frantisek Uprka Photo Image by Sharon M Schweitzer, JD

International Sculpture Day occurs globally on the last Saturday in April. On April 24, 2021, we celebrate the 7th year by sharing 10 ways to observe this day with the goal of furthering the understanding of sculpture and how it provides a vital, unique contribution to society. International Sculpture Day raises the awareness, appreciation, and enjoyment of sculpture and allows sculptors worldwide to showcase their talents.

As the great-great-niece of František Úprka, the Czech artist who created the ceramic sculpture above, this day has special meaning for me and for our family. After scouring antique shops and markets for years, I finally located this sculpture in the autumn of 2019 during our last visit to Prague. It’s titled Mother in mixed media patina coated pottery. I was elated and arranged for it to be carefully shipped home in the US, where I  eagerly waited every day for it to be delivered.

As a visual art, sculpture is tactile and operates in three dimensions. The word sculpture derives from the Latin sculpere, meaning carving. Sculptors have many options to use as a medium for their craft including ceramics, gypsum, ice, iron, marble or stone, wire, wood, and other innovative materials. Different colors, metals, scales, and textures bring varying responses from the audience.

Sculptors are innovative and creative and may use numerous methods to create a sculpture, especially in modern art. Traditionally, the four primary methods used in sculpture-making include:

  1. Assembling
  2. Carving
  3. Casting
  4. Molding

Image: stock.adobe.com By alexey_arz

A few well known sculptures include:

  • Christ the Redeemer, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil created by Paul Landowski
  • The David, in Florence, Italy created by Michelangelo
  • Ecstasy of Saint Teresa, in Rome, Italy created by Gian Lorenzo Bernini
  • The Great Sphinx, in Giza Egypt by an unknown sculptor
  • The Guitar, in New York, USA, created by Pablo Picasso
  • Laocoön and His Sons in the Vatican by an unknown  
  • The Statue of Liberty in New York City, NY by Frederic Auguste Bartholdi
  • The Terracotta Army in China by unknown sculpturists
  • The Thinker in Paris, France, created by Auguste Rodin
  • The Venus De Milo in Paris, France created by Alexandros of Antioch

Want to celebrate International Sculpture Day but don’t know where to start? Here are 10 ways to observe International Sculpture Day:

  1. Enroll in a sculpting class with a friend
  2. Join an art museum
  3. Visit a sculpture exhibit
  4. Host a sculpture making party for kiddos at home
  5. Educate yourself about the sculptors listed above or research others
  6. Create a sculpture scavenger hunt in your area
  7. Buy or order a sculpture book to enjoy
  8. Sign-up for a sculpture tour
  9. Ask your child’s summer camp to include a sculpture workshop
  10. Share the message on social media with #InternationalSculptureDay or #ISDay

Image: stock.adobe.com By Ruslan Gilmanshin

“The idea is there locked inside. All you have to do is remove the excess stone.” -Michelangelo

Sharon Schweitzer, J.D., is a diversity and inclusion consultant, cross-cultural trainer, etiquette expert, and the founder of Access to Culture. In addition to her accreditation in intercultural management from the HOFSTEDE Centre, she is an attorney and mediator. Her Amazon #1 Best Selling book in International Business, Access to Asia, won a coveted Kirkus Star, and was named to Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books. She is a winner of numerous awards, including the British Airways International Trade Award at the Greater Austin Business Awards.

#SharonSchweitzer,  #Uprka, #FrantaUprka, #ISDay, #InternationalSculptureDay, #Cross-CulturalTrainer, #InterculturalCommunication, #InternationalCommunication, #Interculturalist, #accesstoasia, #etiquette, #modernmanners, #arthistory

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