Sculpture garden marks 25 years at park

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 14/07/2017 (3208 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

For a quarter-century, countless visitors have taken in the blend of art and nature that is the Leo Mol Sculpture Garden.

This year marks the garden’s 25th year of beautifying a favourite spot for local residents and visitors from all over the world.

“The garden was created as a result of Dr. Mol’s generous gift of many of his wonderful bronze pieces and works of art to the community in which he lived. The garden officially opened 25 years ago on June 18, 1992, said Laura Cabak, Marketing and Communications Specialist of the Assiniboine Park Conservancy.

“The garden is also home to the Leo Mol Gallery featuring works by the gifted artist and the Leo Mol School House Studio. The interior of the schoolhouse has been maintained intact complete with moulds and plaster casts or major works. It allows the visitor a glimpse of how a bronze sculpture is created,” Cabak added.

Leo Mol (Leonid Molodoshanin) was born in 1915 in Polonne, Ukraine. He studied in the Leningrad Academy of Arts, Kunst Academy in Berlin, Germany, and the Academy of Arts in The Hague, Netherlands. In 1948, Canada became his new home. He died in 2009 at the age of 94, after receiving numerous honorary degrees and being inducted into the Order of Canada.

His contribution is a gift to all who visit. Amid flowers, walkways, and spectacular works of art, there are sitting areas and places to gather. For those who want to learn more about Mol’s creative process, the gallery offers glimpses into his methods.

“Over the past 25 years, the garden has become a favourite destination in the park for Winnipeggers as well as visitors to our city. It is a popular setting for wedding ceremonies and hosts Sunday afternoon jazz performances throughout the summer. The garden is beautiful in every season, offering a shady retreat from the heat of summer and a serene escape in winter when Mol’s beautiful works of art stand out in contrast against a blanket of snow,” said Cabak.

For more information, visit: https://assiniboinepark.ca/park-landing/home/explore/pavilion-art-in-the-park/leo-mol-sculpture-garden