ST. LOUIS, MO.- Laumeier Sculpture Park announces Begin Again: Honey Chile’, 2026, a new sculpture commission with acclaimed artist Alison Saar. Begin Again, the curatorial theme for Laumeier’s 50th anniversary, includes a series of projects whereby each artist has been invited to revisit a past project that has since been decommissioned or no longer exists, challenging the notion of sculpture parks as static museums.

Honey Chile’ debuts October 3, 2026, in conjunction with Ursula von Rydingsvard's recently installed Untitled, 1989 (cast 2026), and Art & Nature Day, inviting visitors of all ages to explore art, nature, and community through hands-on activities and creative play.

A mixed-race artist of African American, European and Native American ancestry, many of Saar’s sculptural objects stand as potent totems and often explore spiritual traditions and folklore, as well as issues of gender, race, cultural heritage and identity, religion, and history. Saar credits her mother, collage and assemblage artist Betye Saar, with exposing her to metaphysical and spiritual traditions that have inspired her artwork for the last 25 years.

Saar has a deep history with the Park that began in 1997 with her commission Leelinau, an enchanting figurative work influenced by the legend of a North American Indigenous girl destined to live forever in a sacred wood inhabited by spirits and fairies. Originally, Saar intended for Leelinau, a wooden sculpture perched high in a tree, to slowly decay over time. However, due to storm damage in 2015 the sculpture was respectfully deaccessioned.





Now, nearly 30 years later, Laumeier has re-engaged Saar to create an entirely new large-scale sculpture. Standing eight feet tall, the main figure is a feral child with a honeybee hive nestled in one of the branches sprouting from her hair. The honey she carries in her hair and hands acts as a symbol of healing, nourishment and resilience. She offers the bees shelter and support, while they provide her with sustenance and protection.

Cast in stainless steel and coated with a dark green and brown patina, Honey Chile’ has a mighty presence while simultaneously blending in with the surrounding woodland. Standing atop a large stone, the young girl overlooks the trail as visitors pass by, gazing towards the creek beyond.

Curator Dana Turkovic states: “Known for her powerful imagery and symbolism, we are so excited to bring Alison’s work back to the Park. Honey Chile’ is such a wonderful example of how she uses lore and myth to embed a story within the landscape of the Art Hike Trail. Her artwork will invite our broad audiences to consider how she weaves personal and universal themes into contemporary culture.”