Advisory Board for theNate (left to right) Elizabeth L. Kelley, Paul Uzureau, Leona Calvin, Kim L. Bright, Jennifer Traff, Patricia Mell Ragland (president), Jeff Stevenson (director, curator), Dr. Cheryl Green (GSU president), Tim Brennan, Yvonne Orr El, Jason Zingsheim (DAL chair), Gregg Lunceford, Jacqueline James Lewis, Aaron West (student member), Al Sturges.

Not pictured: Shay Brokemond, Levoi Brown, Susan Ormsby, Victoria Strole.


The Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park is a collection of 30 master works of large-scale sculpture situated within 100 acres of prairie landscape. This “museum-in-the-prairie” is open for public viewing 365 days a year and is free of charge. The Park provides programs for adults and children that integrate art and nature. Although it is located on the campus of Governors State University, it was founded and is maintained through grants and donations from businesses and individuals.

Contact Information

Director and Curator:

Jeff Stevenson

jstevenson@govst.edu

708-534-4021
  

Education and Outreach Coordinator:

Sherri Denault

sdenault@govst.edu

708-534-4021

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Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park
Governors State University
1 University Parkway
University Park, IL 60484-0975

Call:

708.534.4021

Mission, Vision, and Values

 

Mission

The three pillars of our mission are: Art, Conservation, and Education.

The Park has put the Southland on the map culturally through curating forward-thinking exhibitions.

It is one of the few outdoor sanctuaries in the south suburbs of Chicago where the natural landscape is strikingly beautiful throughout all four seasons. As such, one of our core values is to conserve and expand the natural prairieland. Prairie Restorers join humanist and scholar Bill Dodd in his mission to leave the landscape better than we found it. Donations augment the Bill Dodd Memorial Fund and are allocated towards this conservation ethic.

 The Park also serves as a living laboratory for area school children teaching popular S.T.E.M. (Sience, Technology, Engineering, and Math) principles through the artwork, in our Outdoors@the NATE program. S.T.E.M. becomes STEAM with the infusion of ART. This program opens young minds to new opportunities and ways of thinking through critical thinking, investigation, play and exploration.

We've also recently upgraded our visitor experience with the help of automation app partner Otocast, creating a real-time guide to the park, a map of the entire collection, additional photos and information, and with recorded commentary by many of the artists.

Not all contributions are financial. Docents give of their time to serve our community and students in leading educational tours and themed explorations of the Park.

 

 

Vision

The Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park is recognized globally for its collection of large-scale public art. Our museum-in-the-prairie expands the cultural horizons of our visitors with innovative exhibitions, programs, and integrated arts and nature experiences.

 

Values

ExcellenceWe shall perform to the highest standards.
IntegrityWe shall act in accordance with our beliefs.
CommitmentWe shall give generously of our time and experience.
StewardshipWe believe that Art and Nature are vital resources to be conserved and made available to all.
EducationWe believe learning is a lifelong journey and will honor the commitment of Governors State University and our Founders to Art and Education.
Innovation
We believe creativity enhances Education and will support and promote the union of Art,

Nature, and University Life.

 

 

 

History

Formally established by the Governors State University Board of Trustees in 1978, the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park was named for Nathan Manilow, a visionary developer who, along with Carrol Sweet and Philip Klutznick, formed American Community Builders at the conclusion of World War II. They planned and built the neighboring Village of Park Forest for returning GIs. The history of the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park predates GSU in that sculptor Mark diSuvero spent the summers of 1968 and 1969 living and building sculpture on the land that was to become the university.

1968-69 - Lewis Manilow, son of Nathan Manilow, loans the use of a house on the future campus of GSU to sculptor Mark diSuvero. DiSuvero spends two summers creating sculpture. His presence attracts other artists: John Chamberlain, Richard Hunt, John Henry, Charles Ginnever and Jerry Peart, among others, to the area. DiSuvero creates at least three sculptures: "Yes! for Lady Day," "Prairie Chimes" and "The Mohican."

1969-71 - Governors State University is chartered. The campus is built and occupied.

1971 - Nathan Manilow dies. Lewis Manilow assumes the helm of Manilow business interests. He purchases and donates Mark diSuvero's "Yes! for Lady Day" to GSU.

1976 - "The Sculptor, the Campus, and the Prairie" is presented by "The Governors State University Center for Monumental Sculpture." The groundbreaking exhibition includes work by seven sculptors arrayed across the campus. Bill Engbretson, first president of GSU, retires. Dr. Leo Goodman-Malamuth is installed as president.

1978 - GSU Board of Trustees formally names the growing collection of artworks on campus "The Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park."

1981 - Mary Miss is commissioned by the Park Forest South Cultural Foundation to create "Field Rotation."

1982 - Martin Puryear is commissioned by the Park Forest South Cultural Foundation to create "Bodark Arc."

1983 - Bruce Nauman is commissioned by the Park Forest South Cultural Foundation to create "House Divided."

1987 - Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park Catalog printed

1992 - President Goodman-Malamuth retires, Paula Wolfe named third president of GSU.

To read a 1996 synopsis of the park's history click here

2000 - President Wolfe resigns.  Dr. Stuart Fagan is installed as  president of GSU. He and his wife, Dr. Ora Simcha-Fagan, begin to work with the director of the State of Illinois Capital Development Board's  Percent for Art program to realize a series of commissions for the park.

2002 - GSU convenes a selection committee which selects three artists from 22 maquettes submitted for consideration to create commissioned works for the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park.

2003 - The park receives "Lanleff Demeure No. 4" by Henri Etienne-Martin as a gift from The Art Institute of Chicago.

2005 - Richard Rezac completes work on "Frame," the first of three works resulting from the Percent for Art Program commissions. Christine Tarkowski installs "Working on the Failed Utopia," another Capital Development Board project.

2006 - Tony Tasset delivers "Paul," the final installation of the 2002 commissions.

2007 - President Fagan retires. Dr. Elaine P. Maimon is named fifth president of GSU. Geoffrey Bates is appointed as the first Director and Curator for the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park. The Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park Advisory Board is constituted and develops and approves bylaws. Dan Peterman is commissioned to create "The Granary Project," an additional CDB Percent for Art project.

2009 - "Horizons," a 12-figure installation by Icelandic sculptor Steinunn Thorarinsdottir, becomes the first "Solo Exhibition Series" presentation.

2010 - The Art Institute of Chicago donates Clement Meadmore's "Spiral," on site since 1984, to the park. "Neil Goodman in the Park" is the second "Solo Exhibition Series" presentation.

2012 - Yvonne Domenge donates "Windwaves" to the park. "Solo Exhibition Series" presentation "Sophie Ryder's 'Upside Down, Kneeling" appears in the park.

2013 - "Illinois Landscape No. 5" by John Henry is painted and conserved.

2014 - "Solo Exhibition Series" presentation "Don't Tread on Me: Sculpture by Chakaia Booker" appears in the park.

2016 - "Flying Saucer" by Jene Highstein is rebuilt, painted and conserved.

2017 - "Bodark Arc" by Martin Puryear has restoration/conservation work on the wooden gate, begun in 2016, completed. Director, Curator Geoffrey Bates retires, Jeff Stevenson is appointed the new Director and Curator of the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park and the Visual Arts Gallery. "Solo Exhibition Series" presentation of "Don't Tread on Me: Sculpture by Chakaia Booker" is extended until Summer 2018.

December 12, 2017 Lewis Manilow dies

2018 - "Untitled (Firenze)", 1962 by Abbott Pattison, donated by Sean Susanin, is installed. The "Butterfly Ranch" prairie restoration (Openlands/ComEd Grant) project, is begun with mowing and treating the invasive plant species, and seeding native species.

2019 - "Lanleff Demeure, No. 4", 1961 by Henri Etienne-Martin is restored and relocated to the Patio adjacent to E Lounge in GSU's main campus building. "Untitled", 1982 by Joel Shapiro conserved and relocated to the same patio to be in conversation with Lanleff Demeure. Conservation repairs and coating treatment completed for Bruce Nauman's "House Divided"

Sculpture, Wine & Dine (annual fundraiser) Honorary Chair, Susan Manilow, leads the way for the 50th Anniversary Celebration of GSU and theNate. The Lewis Manilow Common Ground Initiative is announced.

"Rudder", by Neil Goodman installed  (long term loan) in the new park "room" for temporary sculpture exhibits.

New trail along the north edge of the Butterfly Ranch established, connecting "Bodark Arc" to "Flying Saucer". Site for observation deck identified, Art in Architecture / Percent for Art project initiated.

2020 - Paul and Linda Uzureau make a major gift to commission a new work by artist Terrence Karpowicz.

Illinois Capital Development Board, Art in Architecture finalist selected: Bernard Williams.

Mark di Suvero's "Yes! For Lady Day" repaired and painted; Edvins Strautmanis' "Phoenix" painted. 

Dr. Elaine P. Maimon retires and GSU's sixth president Dr. Cheryl Green is welcomed.

Virtual Event: "Prairie Party / Date With theNate" presents theNate Board's message of Art, Conservation, and Education. 

2021 - Paul and Linda Uzureau make an additional gift to establish the New Acquisitions Fund

"Oscar's Inclination" by Michael Dunbar, and "Windwaves" by Yvonne Domenge are painted.

"Stargazing with Contrails" by Terrence Karpowicz is installed; Sculpture, Wine & Dine event is held in-person with pandemic restrictions.

The Manilow Family Trust makes a major gift to theNate for acquisitions and conservation.

2022 - "Stargazing with Contrails" by Terrence Karpowicz is celebrated in a dedication ceremony during “Sculpture, Wine & Dine

Ten Thousand Ripples” by Indira Johnson is installed on a 2-year loan

Earth the Blue Stone” and “Circle of Gold, Destruction and Renewal” by Denise Milan are installed on a 3-year loan

2023 – New Acquisitions “Hand Heart” donated by the artist Jason Pickleman and his wife Leslie Bodenstein, and made possible by Susan Manilow

Sound of the Woods” by Neil Goodman was commissioned by theNate and made possible by a fundraising campaign with lead donors Barbara Sturges (who makes the gift in loving memory of her husband, Al P. Sturges, December 7, 1934 ~ February 18, 2022 age 87, Founding Board Member, Volunteer Docent, and Ambassador for theNate), Gary Metzner and Scott Johnson, Cairy and Tom Brown, Jeanne Rogers and Perry Sainati, David Goodman, the artist’s brother.

Installation of “Avian Station” by Bernard Williams made possible by Illinois Capital Development Board Art in Architecture Percent for Art program with funds generated by the renovation of GSU’s F Wing which was completed in 2014.

Vessel #111” by Eric Stephenson is installed outside and another sculpture by Eric in the lobby of the Center for Performing Arts, on loan from the artist.

The Visual Arts Gallery mounts two major exhibitions in conversation with theNate: in July, “Eric Stephenson: Reach”; in September, “Richard Hunt: Making Chicagoland

2024 – Dedication of “Sound of the Woods” by Neil Goodman; dedication of “Avian Station” by Bernard Williams at “Sculpture, Wine & Dine”;

The Visual Arts Gallery mounts three major exhibitions in conversation with theNate: in April, “Denise Milan: Mist of the Earth”; in June, “Neil Goodman: Gateways and Rudders”; in September, “Indira Johnson: Ten Thousand Ripples

Staff

000.theNateAdvisoryBoardNov2018

theNate Advisory Board November, 2018


Left to Right:

Gregg Lunceford, Lee Kelley, Victoria Strole, Jeff Stevenson, Regine Rousseau, Paul Uzureau, (Abbott Pattison "Untitled, Firenze") Patricia Mell Ragland, Jyoti Srivastava, Jason Zingsheim, Leona Calvin, Lawrence Collins, Jacqueline James Lewis, Mike Perrott

Not pictured: Jerry Anderson, Shay Brokemond, Susan Ormsby, Al Sturges

Staff


Sherri Denault, Jim Zumerchik, Will Davis, Karen Caesar, Karen Schander, Jane Cox

Jeff Stevenson

Jeff Stevenson, Director and Curator

Jeff Stevenson has more than 30 years of professional experience in the visual arts as a practicing studio artist, arts writer, college professor, curator and gallery director. As Director and Curator of the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park, he oversees programming, presentation, conservation and acquisition for the park’s collection of 29 large-scale artworks. Stevenson earned a BS in Medical Illustration from The Ohio State University and an MFA in Painting from Ohio University. He has served on boards and committees with the Chicago Artists’ Coalition, Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park, and the Flossmoor Village Art Commission, in his hometown, Flossmoor, Illinois.

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