Have You Visited the Jack Jamesen Memorial Sculpture Park?

In the mid 90’s local builder and developer Dave Blauert donated a strip of land to the city of Sedona…he was mourning the loss of a friend, as were several other service oriented men in the community, Jack had been an original founder and a big supporter of Sedona Thirty and a contributor to many additional service organizations in the Verde Valley and so the park was named after him.  “I know that my dad would be so proud to be associated with such a lovely sculpture garden dedicated to citizens who care about the community and service to others.” –Said Jill Galea, managing owner of Sedona’s New Day Spa and chairperson of the Friends of Jack Jamesen Memorial Sculpture Park.

On March 1, 2014 The Sedona Military Service Park was unveiled in the Jack Jamesen Memorial Sculpture Park and dedicated to the City of Sedona. Applications continue to be accepted for inscription on the granite walls and all details are available at the city’s website: www.sedonaaz.gov. Granite walls, benches and flags honoring all five branches of the military are visible from State Route 89A and occupy the front section of the Jack Jamesen Memorial Sculpture Park. The Sedona Marine Corp League and Sedona Korean American Association sought support from local clubs and organizations, including The Sedona 30 and made this section of the park possible. This area of the park honors local men and women who have honorably served our country during peace and war.

The original landscape architect, Dick Hubble, designed the park with separate featured areas in the garden to place sculpture.  The Honoring Women committee began meeting in February 2014 to create a section of the park for that purpose. This area includes a bronze sculpture by James N. Muir, titled: Cornerstones of Freedom, and green granite walls in honor of the contributions that women have made, those who make or made an indelible impression on those dear to them personally, and those who have made a difference in the world. Applications are currently being taken for those inscriptions and all details are available at that website: www.JamesenMemorialPark.org

Today the park is a jewel in the center of West Sedona. It includes a Bas Relief of Jack Jamesen by Leslie B. DeMille, a North American Indian sculpture by John Soderberg, Ph.D.  titled: Invocation, an inspiring bronze of “Military K9” by Lena Toritch, Sedona Schnebly herself by Susan Kliewer, a metal sculpture, renamed and dedicated to her husband, artist Skip Fox by his widow Elaine, titled: And The Spirit Soared and a Life and a Quarter size bronze titled Athena’s Prayer by James N Muir.  There is currently room for four more sculptures according to the original site plan.

In the past the Friends of Jack Jamesen have hosted several musical events in the park including, Barbershop Quartet and Choir, Vocals by Shondra Jepperson, LeAnne Leman, the wonderful musicians with the Voila Tour, a group of first graders, coached by Jennie Carol, ceremonies and blessings by Rabbi Alicia Magal and Rev. Dr. George Ault, a Hat’s off to Women event, memorial services and a Harps in the Park event. The park belongs to the city, so if you’d like to host your event there just contact Parks and Recreation 928-282-7098.

“Both of my parents, father Jack and mother Gail loved scenic Sedona and they both believed in the intrinsic value of service work, supporting one’s community in whatever ways an individual is able. Whether it be time, treasure or talent, a community is only as strong as the commitment of its citizens to support It.” –Jill Galea. “It gives me heartfelt pleasure to honor my mother, along with the other woman on our granite walls, it is a lasting legacy that they each deserve for their contributions to our community and to the planet.”

There are still opportunities to be a part of creating this gorgeous location in the heart of West Sedona! Friends of Jack Jamesen Memorial Sculpture Park is a 501 (c)3 non-profit, charitable organization and donations are tax deductible. If you’d like to contribute you may send your check to Friends of Jack Jamesen Memorial Sculpture Park, 44 Stutz Bearcat, Sedona, AZ 86336 OR please go to our website: JamesenMemorialPark.org/About If you have ideas regarding additional sculptures for the park, we’d love to hear from you.

Other ways to support and be a City of Sedona Hero:
*Put a woman’s name you wish to honor on the granite wall.
*Clubs, organizations and businesses can put their company name on the wall to show support for the park.
*Donate a bench and Friends of Jack Jamesen will install a plaque in your honor.
For more information please call 928-830-9933