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University Park, IL-(ENEWSPF)- Expand your horizons this year as a docent at the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park (NMSP).
Orientation sessions begin February 9 for the 2012 Docent Class at NMSP, located at Governors State University. As a docent, you will guide visitors through the nationally acclaimed sculpture park, home to 27 masterworks by some of the world’s great contemporary artists.
Docents lead weekend tours of the park, host programs and receptions, and act as park ambassadors. Geoffrey Bates, NMSP curator and director, said docents don’t have to be experts in contemporary art, and persons of all ages are welcome in the program.
“We’ve completely restructured the orientation program so participants can now view and work on instructional materials in the comfort of their own home via the Internet,” Bates said. Only two in-person training sessions will be held – an introductory class on February 9 and a walk through the sculpture park and continental breakfast on May 5. “Because of the important role they play in life of the park, docents are among the first to know about new exhibitions, artworks, activities, and more,” Bates added.
Prospective docents will receive instructional materials and simple assignments will be due every other week during orientation. Topics include park history, an introduction to the history of sculpture, presentations on each piece in the collection, and pointers on how to conduct tours.
The February 9 session takes place from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., in Room G262, at Governors State. Advance registration and a $25 fee are required. For more information on the park docent program and volunteer opportunities, call (708) 534-4486, e-mail [email protected] or visit www.govst.edu/sculpture.
The Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park is located at Governors State University’s main campus in University Park. The park is free of charge and open from dawn to dusk 365 days a year. For more information about the sculpture park, visit www.govst.edu/sculpture or call (708) 534-4486.
