AUGUSTA — The Viles Arboretum sculpture symposium begins Friday and runs through Sunday, Sept. 21. Twelve nationally known artists will work in the field just beyond the Visitors Center on the grounds of the 224-acre preserve. The artists will work for all to see creating nature-inspired sculpture from raw stone to finished art.

Each artist will be available for all to observe and learn in a close, intimate and safe environment where questions are encouraged. During the week days there will be art teachers and students visiting regularly as part of an effort to make art more accessible to our younger generation. Admission is free.

Visitors can walk the Art Trail to view dozens of stone and metal sculptures and to check out the newly installed interpretive signs and the growing presence of botanical labels.

Symposium artists come from every corner of Maine and include; Lise Becu, Lance Carlezon, David Curry, Isabel Kelley, Paul Kozak, Hugh Lassen, William Royall, Glenn Swanson, David Sywalski, Dan Ucci and Andreas von Huene.

The Symposium is made possible through the support of several sponsors including J.C. Stone Inc. of Jefferson, the Maine Stone workers Guild and R. M. Davis Inc., and Kennebec Equipment Rental Co. We are exceptionally pleased to announce that Maine Home and Design is our exclusive Media Sponsor for the Sculpture symposium.

For more informaiton, visit www.vilesarboretum.org or call 626-7989.