Giant Pointe Shoes Invade Saratoga Springs

November 28, 2001

Saratoga Springs may not be a major city, but it’s definitely a major dance town. It’s played host to the New York City Ballet’s summer season since the ’60s, and been home to the National Museum of Dance & Hall of Fame since the ’80s. So how has the city chosen to honor this notable part of its culture? With a collection of two dozen five-foot tall pointe shoe sculptures, of course!

 

The public art project, entitled Saratoga En Pointe, was conceptualized by the National Museum of Dance, which selected a diverse group of regional artists to each decorate their own fiberglass pointe shoe. Each artist was paired with a sponsoring individual or organization to help fund the project. The sculptures were originally unveiled at the Museum on May 31, and as of now, almost all have been placed at their permanent homes around the city.

 


Check out the artists’ sketches here, and visit the museum’s Facebook page for recent pictures of the completed shoes.

 


Also, if you happen to get your own shot with one of the sculptures—perhaps as you lean into a perfect penché—be sure to enter the museum’s Facebook Photo Contest.