Renter Keeps Folk Art Sculpture Alive

By Kristen Conner

LISTEN TO AUDIO OF CATHERINE PARK

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ALMONESSON – Eight years ago, Catherine Park inherited a wonderland when she moved into her rental home on Route 41. Every day, she wakes up to a mini castle, guard tower, birdhouse, flower garden and tiny bridge outside her window.

These pebbles, shards of antique glass, smooth stones, and pottery make up “The Pebble Palace.”

The sculpture’s creator, folk artist Joseph Laux, traveled the coast collecting stones and rocks to create the masterpiece. He began work on it in 1945 and maintained the site until his death in 1991.

According to Park, the Pebble Palace was abandoned until she came along. And now she considers it her job to help the little fairytale world live on.

“It’s a lot of work,” she said. “But I love making people smile when they see it.”

Park buys concrete and collects the pieces that break off to put it together again.

Painstakingly, she clears out the space so it can be seen through the ever-creeping greenery. “You couldn’t even see this before because it was all covered with ivy,” she said.

The pebble fairyland draws attention from passers by who often slow their cars in the middle or the road – and even from the birds. “Blue Jays, cardinals, all different kinds of birds,” Park said. “My yard gets full of them! It’s crazy! I throw some food out for them.”

Park says she loves living in “The Pebble Palace” but if she ever moves away, she isn’t sure others would keep up the place the way she does.

“It’s hard!” she said. “But I do it so others can enjoy it.”