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Melanie of Josephine Sculpture Park tells Franklin County court about visitor growth and new programs
Summary
Josephine Sculpture Park told Franklin County Fiscal Court it hosts about 80 sculptures and roughly 30,000 visitors annually, described education outreach, citizen-science bird monitoring, returning Soundscape evening events, artists-in-residence and a June 7 fundraising Barn Raisin.
Melanie, a representative of Josephine Sculpture Park, told the Franklin County Fiscal Court on March 25 that the park continues to expand its programs and outreach. "We now operate in partnership with Franklin County Fiscal Court and we're really excited about that," she said, noting the park has about 80 sculptures and draws roughly 30,000 visitors each year. The park is free and open daily from dawn to dusk.
Melanie outlined education and volunteer programs intended to broaden access. She said the park hosts free field trips for schools, offers guided workshops and maintains online curriculum resources for teachers. She also described a partnership with Red Oaks Forest School that runs a free monthly art club and a Bluebird Trail citizen‑science project with 11 nesting boxes managed by trained volunteers.
She announced changes to two signature events: Symphonic Stroll — a collaboration with the Lexington Philharmonic that drew more than 700 attendees and 37 volunteers last year — and the return of Soundscape as an evening summer event after experimenting with a daytime format in 2025. Melanie said Soundscape will again include multiple bands, food trucks and illuminated sculptures.
On programming, she described the artists-in-residence initiative and said the park will host two residencies this year: Sierra Evans, who will work across the summer months to translate two‑dimensional work into sculpture, and Sean Smith, scheduled for a three-week intensive residency in September. Smith’s planned installation includes walk‑in insect-hotel sculptures created with community participation.
Melanie also announced a photo exhibition on the tobacco barn featuring Linda Bruckheimer’s Lost and Found Farmscapes through May 2027 and reminded the court that the Barn Raisin fundraiser will be held June 7, with sponsorship and volunteer opportunities available.
Court members praised the park and encouraged volunteer engagement. The judge noted recent site visits and said the administration will continue to explore opportunities to add kid‑friendly infrastructure. Melanie answered brief procedural questions and directed anyone interested in volunteering or sponsoring events to the park’s website.
