The City of Leawood, Kansas, and the Leawood Arts Council hosted a dedication event for “Reaching,” a public art piece created by Jewish artist William Nemitoff. Nemitoff, a native of Leawood, is the son of Leslie and Rabbi Arthur P. Nemitoff, rabbi emeritus of The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah.
“Reaching” is located at 10760 Lee Boulevard, Leawood, KS 66206. The sculpture, which is being added to Leawood’s public art collection to celebrate the city’s 75th anniversary, was dedicated at sunset on Sept. 26. It also commemorates the long-lasting partnership between Leawood and the Gezer region in Israel, one of Leawood’s two sister cities.
"A symbol of peace and friendship, the olive tree is one of the longest-harvested crops in the ancient region of Gezer,” Nemitoff said in his artist statement. “In honor of Leawood’s 75th anniversary, the tree is composed of 75 curved aluminum branches. The limestone-clad foundation takes its shape from the six-chambered gate found at the ruins of the historic region of Gezer. The unique twisting shape of ‘Reaching’ creates interactive spaces within, resembling ruins hewn out of native stone. The stone base provides a timeless anchor to the past, while the dynamic shape and modern lights at the tips reach upward toward the future.”
The Chronicle interviewed Nemitoff in August of 2022, shortly after the sculpture was chosen by the city council out of many submissions. He said that the sculpture was influenced by the Gezer Region’s olive trees, the Israeli tech industry and the solomonic gates of the biblical city of Tel Gezer, and said, “Unlike the [Tel Gezer] gate, where you'd want to defend, [‘Reaching’] has these open strands so you can actually see through, and there are no worries about anyone hiding. Obviously, kids are going to play in it… I think that it’s very important for art to be accessible to everyone.”
The sculpture weighs 15,000 pounds and is 27 feet tall and 40 feet wide. Its lights are programmable, and the city plans to change its colors to align with different seasons, initiatives and celebrations.
“This sculpture not only celebrates Leawood’s 75 years as a thriving city but also reflects the ties that connect Leawood to the Gezer region,” Leawood Mayor Marc Elkins said. “It reflects the spirit of our community — living with distinction and reaching across borders and cultures to build lasting friendships.”
Reaching was chosen as part of Leawood’s commitment to enhancing the city’s public spaces through its Art in Public Places Initiative.
“I’m incredibly honored to have been chosen to do this in my hometown for its 75th anniversary,” Nemitoff told The Chronicle in 2022. “It’s really something special to me.”
The Leawood Arts Council aims to make art accessible to everyone while promoting cultural exchange and understanding.
More information about “Reaching” and the Leawood Arts Council is available at leawood.org/reaching.