In the Family Circle - Nauvoo, IL - Figurative Public Sculpture on Waymarking.com

While the Historic Nauvoo Visitors’ Center has visiting hours, the Monument to Women Memorial Garden is always open - and free. There are thirteen life-size sculptures in the Memorial Garden.

"In an age of heightened interest in the role of women, the Nauvoo garden of sculptures is dedicated to women of the past, present, and future. The statues, which were dedicated in 1978, identify some of the significant dimensions of a woman’s life.

The memorial consists of a heroic central sculpture of a woman, enhanced by twelve life-sized figures expressing the widely varied nature of women’s vital roles in society. The display may well be the largest commissioned display of sculpture in the world dedicated to women." (visit link)

This sculpture depicts a young family - mother, father, and young daughter. Both mother and father are crouched down, facing each other, with arms raised towards each other. In between them, tentatively walks their young daughter. The daughter appears to have just left her mothers embrace and could possibly be making her first unassisted steps. The father is dressed in slacks and a dress shirt, the mother in a long dress with short sleeves, and the daughter in a short toddler-style dress. The plaque at the base of the statue reads:

In the Family Circle
“And they shall also teach their children to pray,
and walk uprightly before the Lord.”
D&C 68:28
Dennis Smith, Sculptor

"Dennis Smith is as much a philosopher as he is an artist. His work is a window into who he is and his views on life. His impressionistic style captures his exuberance for life and embodies his passion for transcendence - expressed through the spontaneity of children, reflections of the past, and hopes for the future.

At the heart of Dennis' work is the spirit of the human soul. We often see this represented through the innocence of childhood. To Dennis, the child is a metaphor for life. Children's lives, as they explore the world around them, parallel our lives as adults as we discover our identity in this universe. Each piece by Dennis Smith captures this spirit, still virbrant and alive, frozen in the moment of discovery." (visit link)

Name or use 'Unknown' if not known: In the Family Circle Figure Type: Human Artist Name or use 'Unknown' if not known: Dennis Smith Date created or placed or use 'Unknown' if not known: 1/1/1978 Materials used: Bronze Location: Historic Nauvoo Visitors’ Center, Monument to Women Memorial Garden

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Date Logged Log User Rating   04/24/2012 Chasing Blue Sky visited it 03/09/2012 BruceS visited it

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