Sculptures and Play
Sculpting Joy and Curiosity Through Art
When you arrive at Blue House Preschool, one of the first things you might notice is the three unique wooden structures on the playground. Children laugh, climb, crawl, and pop their heads out with delight, bringing the structures to life. What looks like simple play structures at first glance are actually interactive works of art, thoughtfully designed by artist Brent Baggett.
The Artist
Baggett is a professor at Austin Community College and a professional sculptor whose work has been displayed in different universities, colleges, and parks. He has a strong passion for creating sculptures, and though he has experience working with all types of material, wood is his favorite medium to work with.
“I love all aspects of making sculpture. Working with my hands is a pleasure that engages all of my senses,” Baggett said, “Studio time allows me to focus on the way materials sound, smell, and feel.”
Brent Baggett (on the right) posing with "Prairie Dance."
Baggett’s artistic inspiration is fueled by seeing how people happily engage with his art as well as the natural environment around us.
“I’m excited to know that I have a hand in creating something that imbues energy and positive reaction in viewers,” Baggett said, “Another source of inspiration is that I see my sculptures as places where people come together to share an experience and make memories.”
A student and their grandparent playing on "Thicket" at Grandparents and Special Friends Day.
The Art
One of the playground structures, called “Wormholes”, may look familiar to you as it was also displayed at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildlife Center during its “Fortlandia” exhibit a few years ago. This sculpture was Baggett’s reimagining of what an intersection of a subterranean worm highway would look like.
A student playing on "Wormholes" during recess (left) and "Wormholes" at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center's Fortlandia exhibit (right).
Much like “Wormholes”, the other Blue House Preschool sculptures are also influenced by nature. “Thicket” is a pyramid-like sculpture with intersecting wooden planks that children can crawl through or climb on. The sculpture is designed to look like an abstract bush replicating a thicket, where birds and other animals can hide from the elements.
The newest sculpture on the playground, “Prairie Dance,” is a fan-like display of wooden planks that creates a smooth flow and movement. This piece was inspired by the elaborate dance of the Prairie Chicken found in the grasslands of Texas.
The Experience
Most of Baggett’s other sculptures can be seen a few times by most people, or are meant to be viewed instead of played with. For Baggett, the sculptures for Blue House Preschool are a rare opportunity to install a sculpture that becomes part of someone’s daily life.
“When I see young people inspired by my work, it confirms my belief that we all have an inherent playfulness and curiosity that engages with objects that are out of the ordinary,” Baggett said, “If we find an object interesting, we don’t need to understand it to enjoy it.”
Joy and curiosity are what Baggett prioritizes when people view his art. He understands that art can have different perceptions and concepts attached to it, but that too is a great interaction for people to have with sculptures. And he is thrilled to see young kids and students get the chance to enjoy it.
“I am overjoyed knowing that my sculptures exist where students and staff can experience them everyday,” Baggett said, “I cannot say it enough how happy I am with these designs, how happy I am for the people who get to enjoy them, and how impressed I am with Trinity’s commitment to enriching the lives of the students who go to school there.”