Stan Hywet Hall and Garden Magazine - Spring/Summer 2008 - (Page C3)

Spotlight St a n Hy wet By Brittany Timmons Artist-in-residence P.R. Miller delivers a serious message through whimsical artwork S tan Hywet is proud to have notable Akron artist, P.R. Miller, as the inaugural artist-in-residence for 2008. Miller, who calls himself the “Grizzled Wizard,” seems as if he crawled out from the depths of an enchanted children’s novel. His artwork, cleverly constructed from discarded materials of all varieties, embodies the same whimsical demeanor. However, the ecological message of his work is no fairytale. Miller is an enthusiastic advocate for the environment, and his creations speak loudly about the concept of “waste not” and the necessity of recycling. This artist, known for creating treasures from trash, will be working his wizardly magic on the grounds of Stan Hywet. “We’re recycling Stan Hywet for the third or fourth time now,” Miller explains. “Once [Stan Hywet] was a stone quarry, then it was a residential property, then a museum and it’s now morphing into an educational and ecological center.” Miller will create programming as well as artwork that will be displayed on the grounds as part of Stan Hywet’s “Great Garden Adventure.” One of Miller’s impressive projects involves 100 flowers ranging in size from two to 20 feet high. These mammoth works will allow visitors to see things from an insect’s perspective as gigantic flower petals flutter above their heads. The details are intricate and, according to Miller, some are “almost indistinguishable from the actual specimen.” Other projects include a water fountain in the lagoon and a rolling ball sculpture. Miller’s own installations will be embellished by 100 bugs created by students from four area schools. These bugs will also be created from all recycled materials. “It gives kids a chance to display their art,” Miller says, “It enhances the gardens and expands Stan Hywet’s purpose.” In addition to the bugs created by students, summer workshops on the grounds will allow children to create artwork in nature’s classroom. Workshops will focus on both creative visual endeavors as well as environmental issues. “The idea is to expose ten-year-old kids to the realm of ecological stewardship,” says Miller. This green attitude will permeate the grounds of Stan Hywet during Miller’s duration as artist-in-residence. “We will be analyzing everything we do to make sure we are minimizing our ecological footprint,” says Miller. Everything from weddings to workshops and art shows will be as earth-friendly as possible. Miller’s residency will culminate in The Wizards’ Ball held October 26, an event that promises to be as innovative and magical as the wizard himself. The Grizzled Wizard

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Stan Hywet Hall and Garden Magazine - Spring/Summer 2008

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