If you think you have a lot of yard work to do, try keeping up with the Nelson-Atkins sculpture technician, Anna. Her job is to keep tabs on the more than 30 works of art in the Museum's Kansas City Sculpture Park. She spends her days examining, cleaning and protecting the sculptures from the weather, animals and the worst offenders, humans.
Today, Anna was busy waxing the Henry Moore bronzes. The Nelson-Atkins is home to 13 monumental bronze sculptures by Moore and they are spread throughout the 22-acre Sculpture Park. The bronzes are waxed twice a year to create a barrier against damaging elements. "The best way to describe it is that it acts like a sunscreen," explained Anna. The wax also helps to preserve the sculpture's patina which is created naturally when a sculpture is exposed to the weather. Some weathering is a good thing. It adds to the sculpture's character.
You can learn more about the Kansas City Sculpture Park online, but be sure to visit in person if you can. And if you see, Anna, please tell her thank you.