Newton Community and Healthcare Foundation: What's New

Newton Ccommunity and Healthcare Foundation

"Blue Sky" honors Jacqueline Smith

Ask non-Kansans what impresses them most about Kansas, and they often will answer, "the sky."

The Kansas sky is large and wide, and inspiring enough to be captured in any art form. The latest tribute to the state's natural treasure can be found rising from a landscaped hill in Newton's Centennial Park.

"Blue Sky" is a 20-foot-tall by 33-foot-wide sculpture of two curved concrete walls blanketed with 1,500 ceramic tiles that bring the Kansas sky to an earthly level.

It's a tribute to Jacqueline Smith of Newton, an ardent supporter of the fine arts, who died two years ago.

Her husband, Lloyd Smith, contributed $40,000 to the project and dedicated the sculpture to Jacqueline.

The artwork was conceived by Newton artist Phil Epp, and brought to life by Terry Corbett, a Wichita artist who glazed the tiles in subtle shades of blue sky and white clouds. Newton artist Conrad Snider sculpted life-sized human figures in clay that give the Blue Sky project its sense of overwhelming scale.

The creation made its public debut in November. The city of Newton prepared the base and landscaping for the site. Sixteen spotlights mounted in the base illuminate the sculpture at night. The city also agreed to provide maintenance for the sculpture.

When the Blue Sky project was originally proposed, Newton Community & Healthcare Foundation (NCHF) stepped forward to create a Blue Sky fund. Prospective donors could give a tax-deductible gift.

However, NCHF board member Lloyd Smith chose to fund the entire project. NCHF's involvement helped him make the donation in a tax-efficient way.

"Jacqueline loved all of the fine arts and supported them, although she was not really an artist herself," said Smith.

Asked if she would approve of Blue Sky, Smith answered, "She'd love
it."