Laumeier Park Mulling Over Ernest Trova Sculptures

They are history in many ways. They helped start Laumeier Sculpture Park and now many sit in a warehouse.

Four decades ago, Ernest Trova, one of the area’s most renown sculptors, donated 40 works to St. Louis County to help start Laumeier Sculpture Park sculpture gardens.

Last year, St. Louis County tried to sell most of them, according to stltoday.com.

The news outlet sources the attempt to the fact that several pieces had fallen into disrepair, as well as the county parks system needing money in a time when it was discussing cuts and closing parks.

“Laumeier was founded with that original Trova donation,” Laumeier’s new executive director, Marilu Knode told stltoday.com. “However, it has always been about the best contemporary global art practice. It was never meant to be the Ernest Trova Sculpture Garden.”

Last summer, the county listed 27 Trovas for sale. Some pieces priced at upwards of $50,000, according to insurance records.

The St. Louis Native grew up in Clayton, attended Clayton High School and St. Louis University High School. Trova lived in the St. Louis area his entire life, and as an adult in Richmond Heights. He has a star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame.

According to the original contract between the county and Trova, who died in 2009 the art could only be lent out and not sold. Click here to find out if the county continues in it's attempts to sell.