See St. Louis County’s most astonishing outdoor collection of sculptures in a whole new light: the dark.
On Saturday from 4–10 p.m., Laumeier After Dark will feature artful illumination of the park’s trails and permanent collection, as well as a dozen light-based installations by regional artists, with many viewable for one night only. That’s in addition to all of the usual suspects for a fall festival—a Mystic Market and a Night Market full of local vendors, food and drink, live music, fire pits, and a pop-up cocktail lounge by Hidden Gem that utterly transforms the Moss Shelter. (Admission is $15.)
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“We’ll have a map that you can use, but it’s really go-with-the-flow or choose-your-own-adventure,” says Lisa Carrico, marketing and communications manager for Laumeier.
The familiar favorites become a little less familiar lit up in the dark, and the 12 event-specific pieces make use of an amazing variety of elements, from wood and fabric to steel and glass, from projection and neon to a converted school bus.
“When researching for After Dark, the curatorial team is looking for artists that push the boundaries of sculpture and light,” says curator Dana Turkovic. “We look to create multidimensional experiences with artists working in varying media that elevate the experience of the park, considering nature and the darkness as collaborators for the evening.”
Owen Whitworth Ragland’s tour bus invites experimentation with an analog piano and custom audio effects, as well as hosting his performances. Hans Tursack’s Untitled (lighting element) combines off-the-shelf components with custom connections. And Claire Ashley’s inflatables bring wit and abstraction together.
Hear music from Matt F Basler, Still Animals, Shady Bug, and Jackson Stokes. Shop Teeth Town, Pete Holohan Prints, Cherokee Street Ceramics, Lady Layre, Linda Sherwin Astrology, and more. And come hungry—The Tamale Man will be there, as well as Honey Bee Tea, Steve’s Hot Dogs, Might Kind, and lots of others.
Says Carrico, “It’s just one opportunity per year to get this multisensory experience that’s creative but also about community and bringing folks together to engage in art and nature.”
