Published: December 07, 2007 11:13 pm         

Art, songs and shopping draw crowd for the Holiday Fest and Arts Walk

TERRE HAUTE — Downtown Terre Haute was alive with art, songs and shopping Friday night for the Holiday Fest and Arts Walk.

Between 30 and 40 people filled the Swope Art Museum for the Arts Corridor’s first sculpture dedication.

Part of the Wabash Valley Outdoor Sculpture Collection, “Spirit of Space” by Bob Emser, is the third sculpture installed this year from Art Spaces, Inc.

“I’m extremely proud of what we’re doing in Terre Haute,” said Mayor Kevin Burke at the dedication. “And the fact that we are saying that we can be a community that is full of love, appreciation, diversity, a community that can grow and expand itself, embrace things that are new is very encouraging.”

Art Spaces, Inc. is a nonprofit organization with a mission to establish a collection of public outdoor sculptures in Terre Haute and the surrounding region of the Wabash Valley. Its next sculpture is expected to be installed at the Vigo County Library in early 2008.

Mary Kramer, executive director of the organization, said “the young non-profit has been encouraged to thrive” under the current administration and with the help of corporate and individual “contributions and good-spirited actions.”

She said the early contribution that the Duke Energy Foundation contributed showed faith in the organization and will always make it “a champion in my book.”

Rick Burger, district manager of the Duke Energy Foundation, spoke briefly, thanking everyone involved.

“Terre Haute, you’re moving in the right direction,” Burger said, “keep dreaming and believing in yourself.”

Esmer is an international sculptor with work that dates back to 1978. His work has been shown in four continents, seven countries and 27 states.

There are four major parts to the sculpture, Esmer said – two copper-shaped sections and two clam shell pieces “that are actually identical, but by putting opposing, they create a whole new visual entity that goes on.

“The sum of all of those parts is much greater than the individual pieces and that it becomes this synergetic thing, which is what I really think a community is about,” Esmer said. “… It is my great pleasure to now be a part of your community.”

Following the dedication, many people continued on to other various gallery openings, restaurants, shopping or festive events.

Members of the West Vigo Middle School Dance Team, Sarah Scott Middle School Orchestra, Brass and Woodwinds, and Terre Haute South Vigo High School Show Choir performed holiday numbers in the “Party on the Pavement” in front of the Wabash Avenue parking garage.

Andrew Conner, executive director of Downtown Terre Haute, Inc. was out and about to hand out Santa hats, elf hats and reindeer antlers.

“People are decorating for the holidays, there’s more stores than we’ve had in years for people to come down and do their holiday shopping, and lots of great restaurants to come down, bring the family, spend the evening,” he said.

Sixteen-year-old Ellen Gottschling of Terre Haute looked at some things to add to her Christmas list in Cocoa, a women’s clothes and accessories shop above the Crossroads Cafe.

She and her friend, Lauren Prickel, 17, had planned to grab something to eat at Market Bella Rosa and look around the shops.

“It’s fun to walk around the shops,” Gottschling said.

Prickel, of Terre Haute, said, “It’s a good experience to be downtown in the Christmas atmosphere.”

Nine-year-old Rozz Uryga and his sisters, Hart and Jazz, were finger knitting Christmas presents for friends and family at River Wools on Wabash Avenue with their mother, Tanya Starcher.

Martha Crossen, owner of the store, said they stayed open longer than they usually do Fridays for Holiday Fest and decided to have the finger knit activity for children and needle felting for adults.

Starcher said they went to River Wools for Holiday Fest and to learn to finger knit.

“I think it’s awesome. This is one of the best shops that could have come to Terre Haute,” she said, “and especially for downtown. We need more things like this.”

Conner, of Downtown Terre Haute, Inc. said about the increase in downtown activity, “Of course, it’s not just tonight. There’ll be activities throughout the holiday season.”

Crystal Garcia can be reached at (812) 231-4271 or crystal.garcia@tribstar.com.