Stroll the streets of downtown Springfield, and you might notice something spectacular: a metal tree made of cooking pans, a delicate larger-than-life dandelion and a septet of colorfully painted steel humanoids. These are just three of 40-plus sculptures on display through Sculpture Walk Springfield.
Sculpture Walk Springfield is truly an art museum without walls, where the goal is to provide arts access to all. Founded in 2013, Sculpture Walk has grown from 13 pieces to 42, including 12 permanent works, plus annually rotating pieces from artists spanning the globe. Each spring, new pieces are brought in for display, and while some remain indefinitely, others eventually find their way to new homes.
Public art on this scale is a culmination of community support, an active board and generous donors, says Executive Director Avery McQueary. McQueary is thrilled to announce that Springfield Sculpture Walk is working to help place more public art around town, including on the Renew Jordan Creek project.
While new sculptures are in the works, visitors can experience Springfield Sculpture Walk right now in a variety of ways. Maps are available at various locations around the city, including the Route 66 Springfield Visitors Center, the Springfield Regional Arts Council and the Springfield Art Museum. Art-goers should also visit sculpturewalkspringfield.org to print out their own map, view interactive guides or take in the art from the comfort of their own homes.
Springfield Sculpture Walk also includes audio tours via the free app Otocast, which contains interactive elements including recordings of the artists telling stories about their process and inspiration. For groups of any size, docent-led tours are available upon request.
See the current collection here.
