Emerging Spirit: New Public Art in Old Town
Posted July 4th, 2012 by Old Town
Emerging Spirit, a sculpture by artist Berry Bate, has been unveiled for public exhibition on Elk Avenue between Kinch’s Restaurant and Periwinkle Café and Bakery.
Emerging Spirit stands 12 1/2 feet tall. It depicts a woman embraced in a steel bodice with intricate roots that curve and reach down and out, while her copper wings spread and reach for the sky. Bate associates this piece with the women of Converse College, her alma mater, and the spirit of possibility that the College cultivates in its students. It was during her time at Converse that she developed her passion for art.
Bate’s commissions for architectural ironwork and metal sculpture are in public collections at the Biltmore Estate, Brookgreen Gardens, Grove Park Inn, Neiman Marcus Stores, SC Governor’s School for the Arts, City of Spartanburg, Furman University, Billy Graham Training Center, and many others.
Emerging Spirit is on long-term loan to the Arts Council of York County in partnership with the City of Rock Hill.
