A Tale of Two Parks

Caponi’s attitude toward art—that it’s a form of play and an essential part of the human experience—is rooted in his early years of playing with clay in the mountainous Italian village of his youth and is evidenced by the park’s sculptures, which are intended to be accessible and touched. The idea is involvement rather than just admiration. “Art is a rare thing,” says Caponi. “Creativity is not.”

While he doesn’t interfere with visitors’ experience of the place, Caponi is often at work in his studio and open to interacting with the public. With striking white hair and bushy eyebrows and mustache, the eighty-five-year-old man is hard to miss.  Over time, thought, he’s observed the effect the place has on visitors. “People come out [of Caponi] a lot different than when they come in—more excited, more engaged,” he says.

Caponi, who considers the park a work in progress, says, “I tell everyone I can get to listen that I’m making a sculpture park out of this whole sixty acres.”

Out of Town and Into Art
Here are some ways to make the most of your summer and these parks.

You can stop by Franconia Sculpture Park almost any time to see artists at work. Open daily from dawn to dusk. 29815 Unity Ave., Shafer, 651-465-3701. From the Twin Cities, take 35E or 35W north. Exit at Route 8/Taylors Falls. Take Route 8 east about 19 miles to Franconia, which is on the right side of the road.

Caponi Art Park comes into its own in the summer, when the natural environment comes alive in relation to the created environment. It’s also when the park offers exploratory experiences and performances. Open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. 1205 Diffley Rd., Eagan, 651-454-9412. From Minneapolis, take 77 south, or from St. Paul, take 35E south, to Diffley Road. Take Diffley Road east about a half mile past Pilot Knob Road. Park entrance is on the right side of the road.