WPCNR WHITE PLAINS ART NEWS. By John F. Bailey. September 15, 2004: A scuplture garden, Sculpture on the Plaza, five years in the making, the brainchild of Norman Adler, formerly creator of the sculpture display on the Schulman Properties, that he suggested to Eli Schonberger, as a memorial to Mr. Schonberger's wife, Lois, was dedicated today by Mayor Joseph Delfino and a host of who's who in the White Plains arts community. Calling Sculpture on the Plaza, "The Gem of the Gem (White Plains)" Mayor Delfino said the exhibition would appeal to senior citizens and children alike. Sandy Miranda, Director of the White Plains Public Library noted the sculptures caught persons' eyes and enabled passersby to reflect on "life's grace" for a moment in their busy lives.
THE ARTFUL MAYOR JOSEPH DELFINO Welcomes Patrons of the Arts to Sculpture on the Plaza at the White Plains Public Library Wednesday morning. Left to Right are, Norman Adler, The Mayor, Eli Schonberger, Robert Michael Smith of the Sculptor's Guild, Sculptor Judith Steinberg, and Commission of Recreation and Parks, Arne Abramowitz. The Mayor is seen through WPCNR's favorite Mother Playing by Chaim Gross. To the left of Mr. Adler is Tightrope Acrobats, also by Mr. Gross, and to the far left is Miguel Castillo's Mother and Child. Photo by WPCNR ArtCam.
The exhibition features 13 sculptures donated for one year by The Sculptors Guild of New York City, at no cost to the city. A total of $20,000 was contributed by 66 indivduals and corporate sponsors through the Sculpture on the Plaza Committee to pay for the cost of transporting the works to the library and constructing the pedestals displaying them. The works are for sale, and fully insured at no cost to the city.
PATRONS OF THE ARTS: Norman Adler, left, creator of the Schulman sculpture gardens that received a national award from The Reagan Administration, and Eli Schonberger, right. Looking on is Judith Steinberg, Sulptoress. Photo by WPCNR ArtCam.
Included among the famous artists whose works catch the eye of all who pass with their dignity, emotion and integrity of line and intrigue of insouciance, are Bill Barrett, Miguel Castillo, Leonde Finke, Chaim Gross, Richard Heinrich, Bruno Lucchesi, Clement Meadmore, Richard McDermott Miller, George Rickey, Robert Michael Smith, Judith Steinberg and Hans Van de Bovenkamp.
Mr. Smith of the Sculptors Guild which has arranged for the lend of the sculptures in a brief but effective talk said that the mission of art and of sculpture is to "share that celebration of life," to take its viewers on a "spiritual evolution," saying that the creation of art was a religous calling that "takes us to a higher place." Judith Steinberg, a sculptoress from Connecticut whose 42nd Street and Palatine is displayed at the entrance on Martine Avenue, said Sculpture on the Plaza is unique in that no other city in the area has such an extensive exhibition. She said she hoped her home state, Connecticut would follow White Plains's example.
Mayor Delfino said Eli Schonberger was a driving force behind putting the exhibition together. Norman Adler, an amateur sculptor for twenty-five years, formerly with the Schulman real estate organization, said he got the idea from his sculptor display that he developed for the Schulman properties on Westchester Avenue, and that he suggested to Mr. Schonberger it would be a great memorial to Mr. Schonberger's wife, Lois, and that was how the sculpture plaza came to be.
The Mayor thanked the White Plains Beautification Foundation, the Schonberger Family Foundation, Mr. Adler, the Sculptors Guild, and members of the Sculpture on the Plaza Committee. He thanked Merrill Lynch for their contribution, The New York Power Authority for printing the exhibition catalog and the Bank of New York
