Arkansas Blue Cross dedicates Kevin Kresse-designed sculpture in Springdale
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Arkansas Blue Cross Blue Protect President and CEO Curtis Barnett speaks throughout an occasion Monday (Dec. 19) to dedicate a public sculpture on the firm’s Northwest Arkansas company workplace in Springdale. Pictured, from left, are Martine Pollard, Arkansas Blue Cross Vice President, Northwest Arkansas; Arkansas sculptor and painter Kevin Kresse; and Stuart Gower-Jackson, director of operations for the nonprofit group Pedal it Ahead NWA.
Northwest Arkansas enterprise and civic leaders helped Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Protect dedicate a brand new public sculpture at its Springdale company middle on Monday (Dec. 19).
Award-winning sculptor and painter Kevin Kresse of Little Rock designed the six-foot bronze paintings referred to as “The Milestone.” It depicts a woman studying to trip her bicycle with the encouragement of her mother and father.
Arkansas Blue Cross commissioned the work to pay homage to the area’s well-liked outside exercise whereas representing “lively households and the necessary milestones all through an individual’s life.
The sculpture took two years to finish and was put in earlier this 12 months. Arkansas Blue Cross workers started working within the 81,000-square-foot constructing in mid-September 2021.
“As an artist, I’m at all times completely happy to see corporations utilizing artwork — particularly public artwork — to place forth an thought of what their values are,” Kresse stated. “So, I used to be very excited, significantly as a long-time, fortunately glad buyer of Arkansas Blue Cross, to be part of this venture that promotes constructive relationships and wholesome actions.”
Kresse is well-known in Arkansas for his public sculptures and has exhibited his work all through the nation. He additionally created an 8-foot-tall bronze statue of Johnny Money that may quickly turn into a part of the Nationwide Statuary Corridor Assortment in Washington, D.C.
“We’re honored to be dwelling to this lovely murals,” stated Martine Pollard, Arkansas Blue Cross’s high govt primarily based in Northwest Arkansas. “It embodies our dedication to entire individual well being, focusing not simply on bodily well-being but in addition our psychological and emotional well-being, and that of our households.
Additionally Monday, Pollard introduced an Arkansas Blue Cross donation that may present 100 bicycles and helmets to Pedal it Ahead NWA, a nonprofit that gives free or low-cost bikes and helmets to individuals in want all through the area.
“‘The Milestone’ is an attractive addition to the town of Springdale, in addition to our Northwest Arkansas company middle,” Barnett stated. “And we hope by means of the donation of those bicycles, households throughout the area will be capable to expertise their very own milestones and make particular recollections, and maybe develop wholesome habits that may final a lifetime.”
Arkansas Poet Laureate Suzanne Underwood additionally spoke at Monday’s occasion and browse an unique poem entitled “Studying to Experience.”
Little Rock-based Arkansas Blue Cross, the state’s largest well being insurer, maintains its company headquarters in Little Rock and operates regional places of work and ArkansasBlue retail shops in Fayetteville, Fort Smith, Scorching Springs, Jonesboro, Little Rock, Pine Bluff, Rogers and Texarkana.
