Clayton Century Foundation Announces Gift from Centene Charitable Foundation
The gift will fund a permanent sculpture by artist James Surls for Clayton's Shaw Park Century Garden
February 10, 2012
The Clayton Century Foundation, a non-profit organization that serves as a private partner to the City of Clayton, is pleased to announce that Centene Charitable Foundation has pledged $400,000 to fund a commissioned sculpture piece for Shaw Park's Century Garden. Centene Charitable Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Centene Corporation, a national leader in healthcare services.
"We are so fortunate to have philanthropic corporate citizens like Centene to help us achieve our community goals," stated Mayor Linda Goldstein.
The Century Garden, located between the ice rink and the swimming pool in Shaw Park, is an important gateway to the City's premier park. The City has been honored to host significant art pieces at this location, including 'Five Rudders' by Alexander Calder, on loan from Washington University, and currently 'Venus Victorius' by Auguste Renoir, on loan from the Saint Louis Art Museum. The Clayton Century Foundation, in conjunction with the City of Clayton, will use the gift to fund the creation and installation of a permanent sculpture piece by prominent contemporary artist, James Surls, of Carbondale, Colorado.
The Clayton Century Foundation Arts Selection Panel, including representatives from the Saint Louis Art Museum, Laumeier Sculpture Park as well as the City of Clayton's Parks and Recreation Department and Board of Aldermen, selected four finalists from a pool of national and international artists to visit Clayton and present a final proposal for the site. The panel selected internationally recognized artist, James Surls, for his proposed sculpture, Molecular Bloom with Single Flower. The organic molecular nodes, single flower, and vase will be made of steel and bronze. The sculpture will be placed on a plinth, towering over 25 feet above the garden. The sculpture is slated for installation in the spring of 2013 to celebrate the City's Centennial.
James Surls has been featured in the collections of many major museums across the United States and abroad, including the Modern Museum of Art - New York, NY, the Nelson-Atkins Museum - Kansas City, MO, the Whitney Museum of American Art - New York, NY and the Stedelijk Museum, Amsterdam.
"The Surls sculpture, made possible by the generosity of the Centene Charitable Foundation, will create a legacy for Shaw Park and the City of Clayton," stated Gary Feder, President of the Board of the Clayton Century Foundation.
Bev Wagner, co-chair of CCF Arts, stated that: “The Clayton community has consistently demonstrated a commitment to public art and appreciates the importance of its growing collection." The most recent dedication was at the Crescent where the sculpture Uzumaki Curve by internationally known artist, Gerard Tsutakawa, was installed in 2010.
As one of several enhancements to Shaw Park, Single Flower with Molecular Bloom will be placed at an important gateway, leading visitors into the park to connect to new trails that will wind past a nature garden with native Missouri plant life and a permanent pavilion. Each of these new installments are fully funded and will be completed in time to celebrate Clayton's 100th year as a Municipality.
About Centene Charitable Foundation
Founded as a single health plan in 1984, Centene Corporation is a leading multi-line healthcare enterprise that provides programs and related services to the rising number of under-insured and uninsured individuals. Centene also contracts with other healthcare and commercial organizations to provide specialty services such as behavioral health, life and health management, managed vision, telehealth, pharmacy benefits management and medication adherence. The Centene Charitable Foundation provides charitable support for community initiatives that improve the quality of life and health in communities in which Centene operates. www.centene.com
About the City of Clayton
The City of Clayton (http://www.claytonmo.gov/) is the hub of metropolitan St. Louis and the seat of St. Louis County. Clayton’s safe, clean and vibrant business districts combine 7,000,000 square feet of prestigious office space with the vitality of 1,000,000 square feet of retail space. The city, with its incomparable city services and a school district that consistently ranks as one of the best in the country, is recognized as one of the most desirable communities in which to live and work in the metro area.
About Clayton Century Foundation (CCF)
A 501(c)3 organization, the CCF serves as a private partner to the City of Clayton to support the restoration and enhancement of our community’s cultural, recreational and environmental assets. CCF focuses on four priority initiatives: nurturing our parks, honoring our past, promoting public art and supporting sustainability. Projects undertaken are consistent with the City’s master plan, and contribute to a meaningful and enduring quality of life for residents, workers and visitors. www.claytoncenturyfoundation.org
