2024-07-01

Got a nice little piece of press this past weekend. The photo of people observing my "Klompenboot" was the first in the series but am further down the list below.

Hope you can checkout all the pieces!

New sculptures on display in downtown Red Wing

Alyssa Malyon Contributor
Published on Jun 29, 2024

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Seven new multi-media sculptures have been installed on limestone pedestals throughout downtown Red Wing as part of the city's fourth annual Sculpture Walk.

The Sculpture Walk features nine rotating pieces every year, each for sale by the artists, that are temporarily loaned to the city for visitors and residents to enjoy.

Since the program's establishment in 2021, Red Wing Arts has worked closely with the Sculpture Tour Eau Claire, which has provided access to sculptors and artist connections.

This year Red Wing Arts partnered with the Red Wing Arts and Culture Commission to bring new art to the heart of the historic downtown streets.

A peer-review panel of community volunteers scored available sculptures and selected the pieces they thought best suited the community.

And over the years, four of these sculptures have been purchased and donated to the city's permanent public art collection – including "Maestro" by the Sheldon Theatre, "Jake on Bass" in Central Park, "Synchronous" near the Chamber of Commerce and "Sunflowers" in front of the Red Wing Public Library.

The four permanent pieces and seven new and two returning sculptures on loan are part of an even larger, free, walkable art tour called the Red Wing Art Walk, which features a collection of more than 20 permanent, large-scale murals, boots, benches and sculptures scattered all around the city.
2024 Sculptures

1. Balance of Power by Pati Stajcar

This bronze sculpture is located at the Levee Park overlook. It is currently in storage due to the risk of flooding. "When asked where I get my inspiration, the answer is always nature," Stajcar said. "Life's experiences reflect themselves in my sculptures. Energy, flowing from and around each form, guides the gift I present to you."

2. Ever Upward by Jeffrey Barber

This bronze and stainless steel sculpture located at the Red Wing Arts Depot Gallery is a contemporary, figurative interpretation of yin and yang. Barber is also the artist of the eagle sculpture at Red Wing High School and the "First Flight" butterfly sculpture in Pollinator Park.

3. Rusted Melody by Alex Menendez

This steel sculpture is placed near the Indigo Salon. Mendez is a sculptor and working musician who is drawn to abstract forms, believing he can provide visually sculpted art through music.

4. Glowing Tree by Isaac Kidder

This steel, acrylic and solar light sculpture is located by Cornerstone Church. Kidder designed this sculpture to be illuminated at night, adding a soft glow to its surrounding environment. "Discovering sculpting was like playing clouds as a child, lying on my back, gazing into the sky to discover a bunny or a whale chasing a fish," Kidder said.

5. Rock Dragon II by Heather Wall

This sculpture made of aluminum, steel and rocks is located by the Home Plate Grill. Wall designed "Rock Dragon" to be a guard dragon, "drawing energy from the rocks that surround his lair."

6. The Unveiling by Nathan Johansen

This bronze sculpture depicting a winged maple seed is located by the Uffda Shop. Johansen looks to nature as inspiration for his work. This sculpture depicts the cycles of plants and seeds and their relationship to mankind. Johansen said the green tones represent the promise of new life, while the brown tones represent a return back to the earth.

7. Playtime by Eric Thorsen

This hand-forged steel sculpture of playful puppies sits outside Fair Trade Books. Thorsen's sculptures are featured worldwide, with sales generating millions of dollars in contributions to numerous non-profit organizations.

8. Klompenboot by Kyle Fokken

This bronze, aluminum and steel sculpture is located outside Carlson's Sports Center. The title is a combination of the "wooden shoe" or "klompen" in Dutch, and "boot" or "boat" in German.

"I use vintage toy and 'folk art' aesthetics to explore the passing down of cultural values between generations," Fokken said.

9. Oculus by Jeff Satter

This steel sculpture sits on the intersection of Third and Plum streets. "The inspiration for this sculpture started with a stainless-steel sphere," Satter said. "I created a suspended look, with a round or 'eye-like' design, then naming it Oculus."
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