SAINT LOUIS, MO.- Laumeier Sculpture Park announced receipt of a $70,000 grant from The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts in December 2012, in support of The River Between Us, Laumeier’s summer 2013 exhibition that physically and metaphorically links two Mississippi River communities—St. Louis and New Orleans. The River Between Us was organized by Laumeier Executive Director Marilu Knode and Joe Baker, former executive director / chief curator of Longue Vue House and Gardens in New Orleans.

“This major grant from The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts recognizes the strength of this exhibition to our communities through a rich mix of artists from around the globe engaged in understanding the importance of St. Louis and New Orleans in the growth of our country,” Knode said. “The funds will be used to commission four works of art by internationally acclaimed artists and to bring in artists new to our communities.”

Artwork for the exhibition has been commissioned by artists Ken Lum (Canada), Jenny Price (United States), Matts Leiderstam (Sweden) and Bernard Williams (United States). The River Between Us also features performances by Keith William, a disciple of internationally acclaimed choreographer/humanitarian Katherine Dunham, artwork by artists from St. Louis and New Orleans and additional works drawn from local collections. The River Between Us includes two site-specific paintings by Mel Watkin, Laumeier’s 2013 Kranzberg series artist. This is the first time that Laumeier will place a regional artist inside the international context of its exhibitions.

The River Between Us launches a new curatorial initiative designed by Laumeier Curator of Exhibitions Dana Turkovic—Loans That Don’t Move—an innovative model of collaboration between Laumeier and various St. Louis institutions whereby objects on loan for the exhibition remain in place. Works “borrowed” for The River Between Us include the entire Campbell House; the H. T. Potts Tugboat, Museum of Transportation; and George Caleb Bingham’s Jollyflatboatmen in Port, Saint Louis Art Museum.

The River Between Us is on view at Laumeier Sculpture Park April 13 – Aug. 25, 2013 and at Longue Vue House Sept. 26 – Dec. 1, 2013.