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Rochester is on a creative path

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Katya Roberts shows how her sculpture, "Unbroken" in Mayo Park is made from a single sheet of aluminum during an Art4Trails unveiling tour Sunday.

Katya Roberts’ sculpture in Mayo Park looks like multiple panels assembled into one piece. It’s actually a single sheet of aluminum. It represents how experiences in life can shape people.

"Outside forces will bend us," she said to a crowd Sunday. "Ultimately we remain unbroken."

Roberts was speaking to people attending the Art4Trails’ unveiling ride and walk Sunday. Dozens of people and families gathered for a guided tour of new public art on city trails.

The new works showcased on the ride and walk included Roberts’ work: "Unbroken" at Mayo Park; "Flathead" in Kutzky Park and "The Send Off" near the downtown Farmers Market site.

The tour also highlighted four temporary trail art works — "Meandering Connections" at Silver Lake; "Reclaim" at the east side of Mayo Park; "Letting Go" at the river landing by the city-county Government Center and "Variations on a Circle of Fifths" in Slatterly Park.

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Volunteers guided riders and walkers on the mile-long tour of the sculptures and the temporary installations.

"It’s an easy walk or a ride a family can do any time," said Megan Chan, Art4Trails volunteer.

Mary Beth Magyar, who created "Reclaim," went on the ride. She said the beauty of the Art4Trails project is that it makes art available to everyone.

"There’s no cost. You can come look at it at your leisure," Magyar said.

The art is also available to all ages, she added.

"(Kids) can experience it on their terms and their comfort levels," she said.

The only drawback is that the art is presented without artists’ statements, Magyar said.

Paul Claus, of We Bike Rochester, said that after 20 years of commuting by bike in town, watching the trail become more complete and creative has been rewarding.

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"We have a fantastic trail system," he said. "Watching them come together, it’s really fascinating."

There are still some "gauntlets" commuters have to overcome, he added. However, adding art and beauty to the biking experience is important too, he said.

Five of the Art4Trails pieces were created by artist Richard Brubaker, who passed away late last year.

The newest permanent Art4Trails piece, "The Send Off," created by Sebastien Richer, was made possible by grants from Southeast Minnesota Arts Council and the Greater Rochester Arts and Cultural Trust. Richer will also install a permanent sculpture to be placed at Riverside Central Elementary School.

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