Our History
The Liberty Hill International Sculpture Park originated in 1976
In the fall of 1976, local painter and sculptor, Mel Fowler, organized what would become the first international sculpture symposium in the southwest.
Originally planned to organize the event in Austin, Texas, local Liberty Hill resident, James Vaughan, convinced Fowler to instead host it in the rural small town with a population well under 500. The community welcomed 25 sculptors from six different countries - France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Canada, and the United States.
The entire symposium took place without any state or federal funding, and the vast majority of materials used in the sculptures were locally sourced concrete, steel, and native granite.
Many local families in the small, tight-knit community housed the artists in their homes for the roughly two months they were in town creating their sculptures. These families, along with many local organizations, provided meals for the artists.
Liberty Hill wins first Texas Arts Award for city pop. under 100,000
The State of Texas awarded this prestigious inaugural award to the Liberty Hill to recognize its commitment to promoting fine art in a city with population under 100,000.
Today, the International Sculpture Park is a member of Texas Rural Arts, an organization dedicated to amplifying arts and culture across rural Texas.
The Park makes history again in 1987
The sculptures were originally located in downtown Liberty Hill where they remained for more than a decade. But after falling victim to vandals, they were moved to the Lions Foundation Park.
In 1987, in a massive moving effort, the sculptures were relocated and dedicated on the grounds of what was then Liberty Hill High School (now Louine Noble Elementary School) at 101 TX-Loop 332. It became the only recorded site of an International Sculpture Park on school grounds, and is where the majority of the park resides today.
In 2013, some of the sculptures were moved back to the adjacent Lions Foundation Park located at 355 TX-Loop 332, with the park now resting partially on school grounds and partially in Foundation Park, with a clear walking trail between the pieces. Both parks are easily accessible and are free.
