"Free Ride" depicts a purple gallinule, a bird native to both the southeast and southern Africa, resting on top of a half- submerged life sized hippo in Azalea Park in Summerville, S.C. Over the past 12 years sculpture has become something of a passion for the residents of Summerville. What began as a request from a citizen during a town meeting has blossomed into a collection of 19 public sculptures and the only sculpture only art show on the East Coast, the Sculpture in the South Show & Sale, which takes place May 16 and 17.

"The people of Summerville wanted it," chair of the Sculpture in the South board Dora Ann Reaves said. "It's nice when people can get together and make that wish come true and get something beautiful in their town."

The town's downtown booster group DREAM led the initiative and installed Summerville's first public sculpture, Hop to It, a 53- inch bronze Southern Leopard frog, in 1999. Later Sculpture in the South was made into its own non- profit organization and continued to acquire more unique works of art.

Michigan sculptor Roger Martin will demonstrate the step by step genesis of one of his bronze sculptures at the Sculpture in the South Show and Sale in Summerville May 17. Eleven years ago, Sculpture in the South Show & Sale began as a means to expose the citizens of Summerville to sculpture and also a way to raise funds for more sculptures. This year over 35 sculptors from around the country will participate in the two- day event.

Throughout the day on Saturday, sculptors will be busy demonstrating their techniques in Azalea Park, where the majority of the town's sculptures are displayed. In addition to live work, classes in wood sculpture, park tours, and children's activities are also offered.

On Sunday, Michigan sculptor Roger Smith will demonstrate step by step the genesis of one of his bronze sculptures from a clay mold to a finished piece.

"It's a difficult idea to get your head around," Smith said. "I bring along props from each stage so people can touch and feel all the steps that the pieces goes through from point A to point B."

Dreaming of the Big Game sculpture in Azalea Park in Summerville, S.C. Smith has been presenting his wildlife sculptures at Sculpture in South Carolina for the past four years. The show was his first as a professional sculptor.

"Now it's probably our favorite show to do," he said. "After spending the winter in Michigan, it's nice to go someplace warm. The show is also so well organized; it's a great time."

To spice things up in its 11th year, Sculpture in the South has added a brand new element - the Quick Draw, a competition where the professionals start and finish a work of art in the span of one hour. Later in the evening, those works will be auctioned.

Each year two- 5,000 people come admire the sculptures in Summerville. One of Reaves' favorites is a life- size hippo that was dedicated in 2008. Named "Free Ride," the sculpture depicts a Purple Gallinule, a bird native to both the southeast and southern Africa, resting on top of a half- submerged hippo.

"I drove by the other day and saw eight or 10 turtles sunning on its back," Reaves said. "Joggers have changed their path so they can see how the hippo is doing. It's a bit of whimsy. Sculpture doesn't have to be entirely representational of what lives in South Carolina. It can be fun and interesting and exciting!"