Impression Evergreen

Snowstorm at Stagecoach Park After months of record breaking snowfall during March and April, the cold streak continues into the middle of May. The frigid beauty revealed in the aftermath of a freak snowstorm betrays the dreary weather experienced this spring. As usual dawn is shrouded in mist and you can see your own breath as glassy, white ice encases the shocked landscape. The trees are particularly hard hit but they display a defiant resolve to defeat the unexpected elements. Stagecoach Park is barely recognizable because of the low-lying clouds that cause reduced visibility. The field’s sturdy fence line seems to extend from an impressive pine all the way into absolute nothingness. After about a day of such nonsense the blue sky opened back up and an impatient sun went to work releasing winter’s almost unclench-able grip. Even the park’s iconic landmark, Bob the Dinosaur, has grown weary of this eternal, glacial event as it feels like we’re still in the last Ice Age. Freak sno

Mount Rushmore Exhibited near Rapid City, South Dakota, Mount Rushmore is a magnificent monument sculpted from a granite mountain. The massive memorial is a group portrait featuring presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt. It took artist Gutzon Borglum 14 years to complete the government commission. Concealed in a sacred wilderness of rock and pine called the Black Hills, the creation looks unfinished but rough hewn edges give it a certain sketchiness that blends into the natural environment. Upon entering the busy complex, a grand boulevard leads to an amphitheater where the sculpture can be closely contemplated. Mount Rushmore definitely exudes patriotism and as an attraction luring tourists to the remote Northern Plains, the astonishing work of art is certainly a success.

Rushmore Mountain, South Dakota Exhibited near Rapid City, South Dakota, Mount Rushmore is a magnificent monument sculpted from a granite mountain. The massive memorial is a group portrait featuring presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt. It took artist Gutzon Borglum 14 years to complete the government commission. Concealed in a sacred wilderness of rock and pine called the Black Hills, the work looks unfinished but rough hewn edges give it a certain sketchiness that blends into the natural environment. Upon entering the busy complex, a grand boulevard leads to an amphitheater where the sculpture can be closely contemplated. Rushmore definitely exudes patriotism and as an attraction luring tourists to the remote High Plains, the astonishing work of art is certainly a success.

Carhenge, Nebraska Rising conspicuously out of verdant corn, Carhenge was constructed 29 years ago as an exact replica of southern England's Stonehenge. Today, people from all over the world arrive in the agricultural town of Alliance, Nebraska to visit the quirky roadside attraction. At first, it was considered a despicable eyesore haphazardly fabricated by a crazy farmer but in fact, it's an admirable display sculpted by a serious artist. Over time as the structure has blended into the environment, locals have come to accept and embrace the work. At the casual site, visitors are encouraged to explore freely so children happily climb cars and kick tires. Whereas the stone slabs of Salisbury are the "Domain of the Dead", the arrangement of American automobiles near Alliance appears to be a celebration of life.

The Salt Lake Temple Fleeing from religious persecution, Brigham Young gathered his followers and led an exodus of Mormons into the American desert. They wandered over the Wasatch Mountains and settled in the isolated Salt Lake Valley (July 1847) where they hoped to build a New Jerusalem. Upon their arrival, the pioneers promptly began construction of the Temple (February 1853) and it took almost exactly 40 years to finish. The pious palace is designed to be a portal to heaven and a place where believers can communicate with the Lord. Salt Lake Temple is the centerpiece of Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah and it’s an international symbol of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The actual Temple building is closed to the public and LDS Church members may only enter if they’ve earned a special certificate called a Temple Recommend. The square, however, is accessible to all and visitors are encouraged to thoroughly explore the rest of the gorgeous grounds. The

Mount Rushmore, South Dakota Concealed in a celestial wilderness of rock and pine, Mount Rushmore is a magnificent monument sculpted from smooth granite. Commissioned by the Federal Government to create the massive memorial, artist Gutzon Borglum began blasting in 1927. Borglum chose to depict the featured presidents because of the unique ideals each seemed to possess. George Washington represents the struggle for independence while Thomas Jefferson the idea of government by the people. Abraham Lincoln was included because he believed in equality and the permanent union of the states. Theodore Roosevelt appears due to his progressive thoughts on the role of the United States in contemporary world affairs. After Gutzon Borglum’s death combined with a lack of further funding, the project was declared complete in 1941. The work looks unfinished but rough hewn edges give the piece a certain sketchiness that blends into the environment. Upon entering the complex, a grand boulev

Carhenge, Nebraska On a sultry, summer afternoon, we headed up to the High Plains and investigated a western Nebraska icon. Rising conspicuously out of the verdant corn, Carhenge was constructed 27 years ago as an exact replica of southern England's Stonehenge. At first, it was considered a despicable eyesore haphazardly fabricated by a crazy farmer but in actuality, it's an admirable display sculpted by a serious artist. Over time as the structure has blended into the environment, locals have not only accepted the work but they have embraced it as their own unique piece of Americana. Though some may still dismiss Carhenge as the makings of a madman, artist Jim Reinders cleared his field and built it so now we come. Today, people from all over the world arrive in the agricultural town of Alliance, Nebraska to visit the quirky roadside attraction. The grouping of gray gas guzzlers is a remarkable recreation. Aligned with the summer solstice, Carhenge faithfully replic

A snowy morning surrounded by sculptures "Sculpture is the art of the intelligence" ~ Pablo Picasso Spent a snowy, Sunday morning surrounded by stunning sculptures. Just down the street is a natural amphitheater containing fertile soil. Here, art-in-the-round is grown from the seeds of creativity. The Evergreen Fine Art's Sculpture Garden displays some incredible works by talented artists. Most of the pieces are Western-themed and express the spirit of the wild but some have a more modern feel. A larger-than-life mountain lion overlooks the open-air gallery where a charming, gravel path leads the viewer between three-dimensional forms. The circuitous route ends in a hypnotic forest of kinetic sculptures. On the plot you'll see wolves howl, river otters at play and a mischievous black bear. Canada geese glide through cattails below a golden bronze that sparkles in the sunlight. The dramatic conclusion is a pair of majestic eagles engaged mid-flight. Situ