Acres Of Art

Uncovering a hidden treasure in Plattsburgh, The Stone Sledge Sculprture Garden

Story by Freddy Sanchez

If an artist had their own wonderland, it would look like the Stone Sledge Sculpture Garden.

Started in July 1994 by Jackie and Dick Sabourin, the Stone Sledge Sculpture Garden began as an offer to Plattsburgh State University students, giving them a place to exhibit their work. "After graduation many pieces are hidden or returned to scrap… I had this space and I kept thinking ‘What am I going to do with it.’." Mrs. Sabourin says. Her solution to Don Osborn, former art professor at PSUC, was giving up her several acre property. The garden has been growing ever since. "I was anxious to see the space develop and become something," she says.

Although Mrs. Sabourin offered her property to showcase sculptures, its birth was almost accidental. "Don Osborn brought John Kokoszka to us; he needed a place to store his pieces. John wanted to store his piece indoors. I said ‘why don’t we put it in the garden?’ When John wanted to store his piece it seemed like the perfect opportunity to start." Since then Kokoszka has displayed over 25 pieces and paved the way for other artist to display their work. Today there are over 35 sculptures on display from over 15 different artists.

"We continue to make the garden available for artists work, for exhibit and sale," Says Mr. Sabourin, who is an instrumental part of the gardens maintenance as he constructs pedestals and platforms for the sculptures to stand.

"When they’re gone I feel a void. It’s hard looking at an empty spot where a sculpture used to stand."

Some artists with sculptures on display and up for sale include Sarah Sabourin, Jackie and Dick’s daughter; John Kokoszka; and 15 of Mrs. Sabourin’s former students from Peru High school who all worked on the piece "Courage of Steel."  With Mrs. Sabourin her students learned how to weld and bend metal. "The piece was originally on the roof of the school, then when they were renovating the school they needed it moved. I had just retired, so they said ‘What should we do with it?’ and I said ‘If nobody minds I’ll put it in my sculpture garden." The 12 foot sculpture honoring Native Americans towers on the far east side of the Stone Sledge Sculpture Garden, like an intense scarecrow.

Coincidentally the first piece that Kokoszka displayed, Chaotic Emotion, is Mrs. Sabourins favorite piece, however, not because it was the big bang piece of the Stone Sledge Sculpture Garden. "I call it Erratica," she says. "I love the explosion of energy in the piece."

Although Mrs. Sabourin has her favorite, when many of the pieces are sold she finds it difficult to part ways with them. "I get used to them and I grow attached," she says. "When they’re gone I feel a void. It’s hard looking at an empty spot where a sculpture used to stand.

"I joked one time, that it has to be in my will, that whoever gets the house has to up keep the sculpture garden."

The garden is usually an open playground for anyone to walk through, with the option of a guided tour; the only thing the Sabourin’s ask is that you sign the guest book. "It’s funny because sometimes I’ll be mowing the lawn and I will notice people admiring the garden from across the street, contemplating, because they don’t want to just come on the property. So I’ll go inside, so that they can come over without feeling like someone is watching them," says Mrs. Sabourin.

Crisonthy Drellos, former art student, views Mrs. Sabourin as a mentor. "Jackie’s sculpture garden really is a hidden treasure. I think it’s great that people have a place to display their work for free, not a lot of people know about her garden. It’s underappreciated for all that it is and the opportunities it provides," she says.

Any one is welcome to store and display their sculptures at the Stone Sledge Sculpture Garden. Every year we think about what we’re going to attack as far as where sculptures will be placed, because we are constantly getting new sculptures and selling some," says Mrs. Sabourin. "I’d much rather have something that people and look at and talk about as opposed to something they can stare at and get bored," she says.

What started out as a small offer to aspiring artists, has now evolved into an Alice and Wonderland dream for any art lover.

"I joked one time, that it has to be in my will, that whoever gets the house has to up keep the sculpture garden." Mrs. Sabourin says.

Have you ever visited the Stone Sledge Sculpture Garden?