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Installed in 1976
Owner: The City of Kalamazoo
Location: Bronson Park

About the Artist: While widely recognized as a sculptor, Newman was also a dedicated educator. He came to Kalamazoo in 1949 as part of the University of Michigan’s extension program. Newman believed community art programs could be as stimulating and rewarding as those offered at the college level. He recruited a dedicated group of teachers to help develop the Kalamazoo Institute of the Arts art school.
More about the sculpture:  The reflecting pool, part of the original Ianelli design, was adorned with bronze sculptures of Kalamazoo children to commemorate the United States bicentennial in 1976.
"When justice and mercy prevail, children may safely play" is a biblical verse that Kirk used as his inspiration for the sculptures.
Photograph by Patrick Jouppi, 2011
Slideshow photographs by Jade Wethy, 2013