RiverSpan to feature international sculptors, region

The works of 80 international sculptors will be exhibited on the Purple People Bridge during the inaugural RiverSpan Sculpture Exhibition and Sale, June 20-22.

The sculptors, who come from three continents, four countries and 24 states, will each submit 7 to 10 pieces for sale.

Executive director Bruce Olson, who has been arranging the event for five years, says that visitors can expect pure, fine arts sculpture.

"There's nothing like it in the whole northeast quadrant of the U.S.," he says.

Olson, who has been a fine art broker, artist rep and consultant for 30 years, has built up contacts with over 1,000 sculptors and is hoping that word of mouth about RiverSpan spreads among them.

"If it's a class act, this is how you're going to grow," Olson says.  "And in the future, we plan on increasing the baseline for artist acceptance to improve the caliber of the show."

RiverSpan is being financed by private investors interested in the benefits of an international event, and the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber is providing the backup staff and its significant event management experience.

Olson says that it's as much about promoting and selling art as it is about promoting the region to those outside of the region.

"In Loveland, Colorado's show, 80 percent of the purchasers are from out of state or out of the country," he says.

He also believes that there's no reason that an internationally-recognized event can't take off here.

"Why not here?" Olson says.  "It's a great location to invite the rest of the world to visit."

Writer: Kevin LeMaster
Source: Bruce Olson, executive director, RiverSpan Sculpture Group
Photograph provided by Bruce Olson