The Prairie Party at theNate celebrates art, nature and community
theNate is more than a sculpture park and its Prairie Party remains its signature annual celebration
By Lisa Redmond, Staff Writer
The annual Prairie Party at theNate (formerly the Sculpture Wine and Dine) at Governors State University’s (GovState) Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park (theNate) highlighted everything that makes the Nathan Manilow Sculpture Park unique: art, education, conservation and a deep connection to place. It also brought together artists, supporters, educators and community members for an evening that celebrated the vibrant culture and creative spirit that is theNate.
Held amid the park's sculptures and prairie landscape, under amber skies, the event included tours of the 100-acre sculpture park by golf cart, live music and a cocktail reception, followed by dinner catered by Drew BBQ. The 2026 event served as both a celebration and a reminder of the institution's growing impact. Guests heard from artists, board members and educators who reflected on the ways theNate continues to inspire creativity while connecting visitors to the natural environment.
In her welcome, GovState President, Joyce C. Ester, commented on the great legacy of the Nate and praised its lasting impact on generations to come.
Another highlight of the evening was the story behind The Moon, My Shadow and I, by artist Gwen Yen Chiu, a new site-specific installation described as a darkened and welded stainless steel triptych. Chiu, arriving at the park for a site visit, envisioned a work created specifically for the landscape and spoke about feeling supported throughout the process.
"What theNate means to me is trust," the artist told attendees, thanking the organization for believing in artists and giving them the freedom to realize ambitious ideas.
The Prairie Party also showcased theNate's educational mission. Leona Calvin, a longtime board member involved with the park's outdoor education programs, described how visiting school children explore sculptures while learning about creativity, shapes, materials and interpretation.
Board President Tim Brennan connected those experiences to the park's larger purpose. Reflecting on his own journey from a farm in Ohio to leadership at the sculpture park, Brennan said theNate sits at the intersection of art, conservation and education. He praised the organization's efforts to preserve the prairie, inspire young people and bring world-class cultural experiences to a rural setting. What began decades ago on a farm, Brennan noted, has become a destination recognized far beyond the region.
The Prairie Party celebrated that evolution while thanking the donors, artists, volunteers and supporters who continue to make it possible.
In his remarks, Jeff Stevenson, Director and Curator of theNate noted that, “theNate stands out from other sculpture parks because it is within GovState University, and that academic element adds a dynamic quality to our mission: Art; Conservation (of the art and land); and Education - just as theNate adds to GovState's profile amongst institutions of higher learning.”
The message of the evening was clear: theNate is more than a sculpture park. It is a place where art, nature and community come together, and the Prairie Party remains its signature annual celebration.
Governors State University (GovState), recently voted the Best in the Southland, is a 4-year, comprehensive institution of higher education located in Chicago’s Southland. GovState serves nearly 4,500 students in four academic colleges: Arts and Sciences, Health and Human Services, Business, and Education and Human Development. Home to 2025-26 Men’s Basketball CCAC champions, GovState hosts 16 athletic teams.