ELEVATE - PRB&SG Exhibition Press Release

ELEVATE:
An Exhibition of Gravity-Defying Sculptures
by Internationally Acclaimed Polish Artist
Jerzy Kedziora in Punta Gorda
 
PUNTA GORDA, FL. - This fall, something extraordinary will take shape when Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens presents ELEVATE, transforming the 27-acre sanctuary into an expansive outdoor exhibition of sculptures by internationally acclaimed Polish artist Jerzy Kedziora, on display from November 7, 2026 through April 2027.
Suspended above gardens, wetlands, ponds, pathways and open spaces, Kedziora's sculptures create an unexpected encounter at every turn. They represent a sophisticated harmony of artistic vision, mathematics, engineering and craftsmanship. Challenging our perception of gravity by inviting moments of wonder, curiosity and reflection while effortlessly hovering above the landscape and responding to the wind, light, water and changing conditions of The Gardens.
The scale of ELEVATE is central to the experience. Rather than being confined to a traditional gallery, the exhibition will unfold across The Gardens' diverse landscapes, inviting visitors to encounter carefully engineered equilibriums from alternative perspectives.
For more than three decades, Kedziora has captivated audiences around the world with sculptures that appear to defy the laws of physics. Known professionally as JOTKA, Kedziora has spent more than three decades developing his distinctive approach to figurative sculpture. Through meticulous calculations of weight distribution and center of gravity, often balancing from a single support point, creating the illusion that solid forms have been released from the pull of gravity.
Yet the experience of ELEVATE extends beyond its complex engineering. The stories Kedziora tells are deeply human. His works depict workers, children, musicians, athletes, performers, and dreamers. Capturing moments of movement, determination, joy and imagination.
By lifting familiar figures into the air, Kedziora encourages viewers to see ordinary life from an extraordinary perspective.
 
The transformation will begin in late October, when the first sculptures arrive and installation gets underway across The Gardens. Over the following days, the familiar landscape will gradually take on a new dimension as figures rise above pathways, ponds, gardens and wetlands in preparation for the November 7 opening. The result will be a large-scale outdoor gallery designed not simply to be viewed but explored.
ELEVATE continues Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens' commitment to creating meaningful connections between art and nature, offering visitors opportunities to experience the unexpected while discovering The Gardens from a new perspective.
Throughout the exhibition, The Gardens will offer educational programs, tours, classes and special events exploring the intersections of art, physics, engineering and the natural environment.
Starting in November, Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens is open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
 
ELEVATE opens November 7, 2026, and will be on display through April 2027.
 
For exhibition information, tickets and a calendar of related programs and events, visit peacerivergardens.org  &  Elevate by Jerzy Kedziora | Peace River Gardens
 
 
Media Contact
Adrian Parris
Director of Marketing and Engagement
Peace River Botanical & Sculpture Gardens
(941) 840-5538
aparris@peacerivergardens.org