Mary Angers prides herself in her ability to connect art with natural elements, so it makes perfect sense, she said, to display her work in the Stevens Point Sculpture Park.

“The interaction between the pieces and the forest bed in these almost like staging areas for the work to relate to its surroundings really interested me,” she said. “The relationship between how the forest grows and how art can grow with it are key.”

Angers traveled 1,065 miles from Long Branch, N.J., this past weekend to install her artwork, “Sun to Moon Rotation,” in the sculpture park near Zenoff Park. Hers is one of five new pieces that will debut at the 2016 Summer Celebration beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday, June 11, at the park, 900 Second St. N. Artists included are local, area, Midwest and from out East.

Mike Godell of Stevens Point is another artist who will have art displayed. Nature similar to that in the park inspired his piece, “Pulsating Vessels.”

“(It) offers an exaggerated view of the effect light and movement can have on the objects that surround us,” he said. “It was inspired by time spent sitting in natural areas observing the play of light and wind on water.”

The Summer Celebration will include poetry readings, live music, yoga, children’s activities as well as an artist meet-and-greet. Peace Flags made by area elementary school students will line the trails throughout the Stevens Point Sculpture Park.

The event is free and open to the public.

Summer Celebration’s schedule of events is:

11 a.m. to noon – Poetry Reading with the Aspiring Poets of Stevens Point at “Extended Point.”

11:30 a.m. – Suzuki Performance at “It’s For the Birds.”

Noon to 2 p.m. – Voyager Saxophone Quartet at “Extended Point.”

Noon to 1 p.m. – Poetry Reading with the Aspiring Poets of Stevens Point at “Sand County Bench.”

1 p.m. – Discussion about Chimney Swifts with John Munson, Audubon Society, at “Rapunzel’s Tower.”

1:30 p.m. – Laugh, Stretch and Breathe Yoga Among the Trees at “It’s for the Birds.”

Representatives from the Stevens Point Sculpture Park as well as numerous artists will be available to speak with during the event. Artists, with work on display in the park, planning to attend the meet-and-greet sessions include Thomas Schumacher, Riley Fichter, Mike Godell, Stephanie Jones and Jim Dinkins.

New work by artists debuting in the park this year are Thomas Schumacher of Hancock – “Unity;” Steve Reddell of Peculiar, Mo., – “Metal;” Mary Angers of Long Branch, N.J., – “Sun to Moon Rotation;” Mike Godell of Stevens Point – “Pulsating Vessels” and Riley Fichter of Baraboo – “Weight//Agony.”

“Most of the work is about the relationship between the work and Stevens Point Park, like exaggerating the piece to work with the space or like in my work and others the notion of seeing the sun and the moon and the stars through the trees in such a way as you don’t see when you are not in a forest,” Angers said.

The park allows artists to play with different dimensions, different pieces of nature and its impact on the senses, and their attempts to connect viewer and vision.

“The Sculpture Park has given me the space to bring large scale ideas to life in a location that is inviting and peaceful,” Godell said. “Play is important in relationship building and has become an important part of my art practice. The park setting encourages play and is an ideal way for visitors to experience and connect with my art.

“I think it feels more connected with the rest of the world than the typical art gallery experience,” he said.

Performances during the Summer Celebration will be provided by children performing from the Aber Suzuki Center, members of the Aspiring Poets of Stevens Point, Voyageur Saxophone Quartet consisting of David Hastings (soprano saxophone), Jennifer Bellmer (alto saxophone), Jeff Erickson (tenor saxophone) and Clarke Crandell (baritone saxophone). Jon Gadbois, poet laureate of Stevens Point, will also be in attendance.

The Stevens Point Sculpture Park is a 20-acre site featuring woodlands, wetlands, ponds and prairie located on the Green Circle next to Zenoff Park. It is an evolving, living park, so art will be continually added each year through juried exhibitions, artist in residency programs and other events.

The mission of the park is to provide a welcoming and accessible outdoor venue for environmental arts exhibitions, activities, and educational programs. It is open to the public daily. For more information, visit www.stevenspointsculpturepark.org.