Seasons of Life Statues
Symbolizing Life's Changes
At Dargan Park, located at the corner of Madison and Fountain streets, a magnificent set of three statues stands tall. Made of steel plates, these masterful sculptures represent the “seasons of life.” Rusty in appearance and each standing 25 feet tall, the three structures symbolize the human changes — or “seasons” — of growth during our lives. Each statue represents a specific time in life: child, middle age, and older adulthood. With each figure, a maxim (a Greek aphorism or saying) evokes what those stages embody. The maxims can be found near each statue on large stones in the park.
The three metal figures are the vision of John and Nancy Dargan and were designed and built by artist Barry Tinsley. Tinsley was born in Roanoke, VA, and earned an MFA from the University of Iowa in 1968.
Childhood & Youth
With all forms of art, many abstractions can be considered. At an early age, children display plenty of energy and motion in the daily process of growing and learning. The sculpture of the child illustrates the early years of activity, movement, and energy.
Middle Age
During our middle age, we demonstrate the passions of life, often with a fervor and eagerness. To some, that might suggest a time to achieve power and control. To others, it may indicate raising a family, building a future, or coming to a crossroad in life. If so, middle age is often a time to find ourselves — who we are, why we’re here, and what we want to accomplish. The middle age sculpture provides the reassurance during these years that life has begun to have meaning and gives us a choice, displayed in the ambiguity of the statue as if it is reaching out to grasp the moment.
Old Age
Finally, the old age statue shows us the change in physical appearance that signifies our elder years. Along with the aging process comes a level of maturity and wisdom to give good advice, to mentor others, and to live life to its fullest. For no matter where we are along the avenue of our seasons of life, we should all know “All Things Change and We Change with Them.”