With the perfect marriage of fine art and fashion, Bal Harbour Shops adds yet another facet to its legendary lure-a Sculpture Garden to be directed by one of the country's leading experts in American contemporary art, Gallery owner Dorothy Blau. Bal Harbour Shops' al fresco setting in an exotic, tropical garden with reflective ponds and waterfalls is a natural backdrop for fine art.

Ms. Blau and Bal Harbour Shops' Architect Mark Hampton, FAIA selected eight dynamic sculptures in bronze, chrome and stainless steel by Ernest Trova, whose illustrious career spans 40 years. They are placed strategically throughout the mall. "Our patrons expect the best from Bal Harbour Shops," says its Developer, Stanley F. Whitman. "I have great respect for Dorothy Blau and Mark Hampton, and am confident that their combined efforts will bring Bal Harbour Shops to another level for the enjoyment of our clientele."

Says Blau, "Florida living is 'outdoors' and there should be beautiful sculptures throughout the State in out-of-door-settings. Thanks to Stanley Whitman's vision we will have visual art to enjoy locally for our children and ourselves. I am so proud to be doing a project at Bal Harbour Shops. Truth be told-I live in Bal Harbour because of that mall." The Dorothy Blau Sculpture Garden will showcase a series of artists or groups of artists, all of which will be for sale through the Dorothy Blau Gallery in neighboring Bay Harbor Islands.

Ernest Trova is a contemporary American artist who resides in St. Louis. His career ranges from self-taught beginnings to his present-day status as a sculptor of originality and force. In the 1970's, Trova shifted his primary focus to large-scale geometric constructions in steel. Trova, a workaholic, has acknowledged his addiction to work, which, he believes, is "the motivating spirit behind aesthetic endeavors."

Bal Harbour Shops is located at 9700 Collins Avenue in Bal Harbour Village, Florida. Among the renowned merchants located at this world-famed, open-air mall are Cartier, Chanel, Escada, Gianni Versace, and one of a handful of Prada, Christian Dior and Dolce & Gabbana boutiques in the country.

For more information

www.balharbourshops.com or call 305-866-0311.

Edited by Stacey Brown