Summer sculptures along Geyserville Avenue
Summer 2012 marks the one-year anniversary of sculptures around Geyserville. The third installation features Sonoma County local artists Robyn Spencer-Crompton and Peter Crompton.
"Zeus" by Peter Compton
Both Spencer-Crompton and Crompton teach at Santa Rosa Junior College in the fashion/theater arts departments. The sculpture garden at their home in Santa Rosa started with pieces from Compton’s SRJC set designs.
NEREIDS, located at the south end of town, was inspired by a famous classical monument in Turkey that features sea nymphs with elaborately sculpted drapery blown by the winds.
ZEUS, located in the Geyserville Visitors Park in the center of town, is usually known as the leader of the Greek pantheon. The back of the sculpture has his name and attributes: “Protector of Strangers,” “Keeper of Oaths” and the phrase “Peter made me” in ancient Greek text. Also inscribed are symbols such as the eagle, Greek lighting bolt and the astronomical sign for Jupiter. Greek myth says Zeus gave birth to Athena through his forehead, so it is appropriate to have the break in the sculpture there.
The Cromptons open their garden in October during Artrails Open Studio Tours or by appointment. To see more, visit their website, web.me.com/petercrompton/crompton_design.
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Incredible work. One of his sculptures is gracing the entrance to the Cloverdale Plaza this summer where it garnered the People’s Choice Award. It is wonderful – and definitely makes a statement. So glad those of us in smaller communities, like Geyserville and Cloverdale, have the privilege of seeing art of this caliber “up close and personal” in our own backyard.