If you’ve ever strolled through New York’s Central Park or enjoyed the landscape at Niagara Falls, then you’ve seen the impressive work of Frederick Law Olmsted. Considered by many to be the father of American landscape architecture, Olmsted is a man highly regarded for his visions and careers, which encompassed surveying, engineering, chemistry, journalism, and farming, among others. He and his firm completed more than 500 projects, including designs for academic institutions, public parks and parkways, and landscapes at national monuments.
During the late 1800s, Olmsted traveled to Western North Carolina to design the landscape of the Biltmore Estate for George Vanderbilt, which included the country’s most comprehensive research arboretum. Although these plans did not come to fruition, a remnant of the nine-mile-long road in Olmsted’s arboretum plan exists in Biltmore Forest today, appropriately named as Arboretum Road. Additionally, his vision served as impetus for The North Carolina Arboretum.
To honor Olmsted, The NC Arboretum commissioned a bronze statue by internationally known artist Zenos Frudakis, who creates public monuments and often portrait sculptures. (Two of his most recognized works are “Freedom” in Philadelphia and the Honor Guard sculpture at the U.S. Air Force Memorial in Arlington, Virginia.) He describes Olmsted as a “self-educated Renaissance man.” Frudakis studied photographs, as well as biographical books and films to better understand Olmsted for the larger-than-life statue.
“As one who is fond of history, it is especially meaningful to me when a project involves someone of historical significance,” Frudakis told The Laurel. “Working in bronze is a way of taking the transience of life, shaping it, and giving it long-lasting form so that the statement one makes is impactful for a very long time.”
The project took nearly two years to complete. The NC Arboretum will host a public unveiling of the statue at 5 p.m. on Friday, April 22. In honor of Olmsted’s philosophy of creating opportunity for people of all socioeconomic levels, the Arboretum will offer free parking for guests beginning at 4 p.m. Frudakis will be traveling here from his home in the Philadelphia area to present a short talk about the project.
The Arboretum will host a special day of family-friendly events on Saturday, April 23, in honor of the statue’s installation, and will celebrate what would have been Olmsted’s 194th birthday on April 26.
For more information, call 828.665.2492 or visit ncarboretum.org.
