Sculpture Walk Springfield (SWS) is a privately funded grassroots organization dedicated to encouraging the artistic transformation of Springfield through outdoor sculpture, thus enhancing quality of life and promoting economic vitality. Founded in 2014, the organization presents sculptures in Downtown Springfield, the Rountree Community and adjacent Jordan Valley Park on an annual rotating basis. The vision is to create a museum without walls with access to all. The sculptures, on loan from the artists, are on display for 10 months and then replaced with a new collection each Spring. All sculptures are for sale. The current fifth-year collection consists of 33 sculptures which are submitted by 26 individual sculptors from around the country.
Believing that collaboration is critical, Sculpture Walk Springfield has worked closely with the City of Springfield, the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, the Springfield Regional Arts Council and Missouri State University. SWS has experienced acceptance by the citizens of Springfield as well as the artistic community. Walking tours of the sculptures are offered by the staff and an educational program on SWS and public art is presented to all public school seventh graders. Financial support from the community is essential for the continuing existence and growth of this endeavor.
Preview these brand new sculptures on the 2020-2021 sculpture walk tour.
Falling Man
Falling Man is a memory recreation, I was thinking about that horrendous day 9-11 in New York City, when the twin towers were coming down and the TV news channel was showing a man falling down from one of the tower’s windows. I thought I would represent the falling man with a falling house, and the house being that man’s identity. My work is about identity and our relationship to nature. I have often thought that if we look beyond what appears to be, our identities are very neatly tied to our home and our belongings. This piece was created in 2017.
Artist: Jorge Leyva
Located in front of CID Downtown at 650 N. Boonville Ave.
Sponsored by: CID Downtown
Material: Steel
Movement & Momentum
I created this sculpture as a three-dimensional representation of movement inspired by traditional street art. I wanted to make something that looked like a graffiti painting come to life in a three dimensional form. I am inspired by traditional street art because it is a form of self expression that gives people something interesting to look at. This was my first major welding and fabricating project, so I learned a lot about welding and the process of creating large scale sculpture.
Artist: Derek Fitzpatrick
Located Northwest corner of Boonville Ave. & Mill St.
Sponsored by: Missouri State University College of Art and Letters
Material: Steel
Maestro
Maestro is an Americana piece, meant to take you back to the mid 1900s when kids were left to their own devices to amuse themselves. Our conductor has found a 3 legged milk stool for his stand, grandpa’s old tuxedo coat and bow tie, a willow branch serves nicely as a baton. He is the throws of conducting his make believe orchestra. You get to join in!
Artists: Lee Leuning & Sherri Treeby
Located in Jubilee Park at the southeast corner of Jefferson Ave. & St. Louis St.
Sponsored by: Karen & Mike Schneider
Materials: Steel and Aluminum
Space Cat - Felix
I, like many artists, tend to take my sculpture too seriously. With this in mind “Felix the Space Cat” came to life; a playful artwork that will hopefully give a viewer a smile, perhaps even a small chuckle. Cast with the age old material of bronze, this lighthearted kitty lands in “space” near you.
Artist: Anthony Guntren
Located in front of Hotel Vandivort at 305 E. Walnut St.
Sponsored by: Hotel Vandivort
Materials: Bronze
Plight of Awá
This sculpture is the visual representation of Schlumbergera truncata (AKA Holiday Cactus), but more importantly it symbolizes the Awá people of the Brazilian Amazon. Both live in unity with the giant trees of the rainforest. Only 350 of the Awá are left, 100 of which have never had contact with the modern world. These people are being murdered for the trees on their reservation by loggers and hired killers. Illegal logging to produce exotic lumber like Ipe is leading to the depletion of habitat for these nomadic people. Ipe is a highly sought after material for high end decks and is available here in the Ozarks. Please watch the documentary “Brazil’s Awa Tribe: The Final Battle” outlining the fight for their survival @ https://youtu.be/5VV14HG3A3g
Artist: Nick Willett
Located Northwest corner of South Ave. & Walnut St.
Sponsored by: Great Southern Bank
Materials: Steel
Do Something Good With Your Superpowers
This is our current lineup of pets. We have 5 pets. The three dogs were strays and the two cats were adopted. Tanner is the big dog, weighing in at 96 pounds. Casey is a Beagle, Sadie is a Corgi that’s why she has a bobbed tail. Olivia the cat is setting on Tanner’s head. And Holly is hanging on to Olivia’s tail. The sculptures I make have to keep my interest for a few months during construction. So I have to make them fun for myself and hope others enjoy them too. Sometime in your life try to adopt a shelter pet, it will make you happy.
Artist: James Douglas Cox
Located at the entrance of Tie & Timber Beer Company’s Beer Garden at 1451 E. Cherry St.
Sponsored by: Karen & Mike Schneider
Materials: Stainless Steel
Tricky Situation
To figure out which side of the grass is truly greener, one must first grasp what green really is…
Artist: Matt Miller
Located US Bank at 417 St. Louis St.
Sponsored by: US Bank
Materials: Steel and Acrylic
No Easy Fix
The path of our choices can dictate our future whether we like it or not.
Artist: Matt Miller
Located Outside of Founder’s Park at the southwest corner of Jefferson Ave. & Water St.
Sponsored by: Tom & Kimberley Prater
Materials: Steel and Resin
Obelisck
My work tends to reflect the flawed characteristics of humans. Although flaws can be a part of imperfection, I also try to express how human flaws are also beautiful in some way, shape, or form. To grab a hold of the inexactness I’m looking for, all my work starts as rough sketches that begin as unintentional marks. My work tends to have seams, various texture, mis-marks, mistakes, and asymmetrical proportions; messy, but controlled enough to show a struggle for intense artistry. Proving that art doesn’t have to be machine-like and perfect, but instead, organic and imprecise.
Artist: Nick Hurst
Located Southwest corner of Jefferson Ave. & Walnut St.
Sponsored by: Mudlounge and MudHouse Coffee & Tea
Materials: Steel, Bronze, Watercolor, Tempera
Kubota Orange Dinosaur
This sculpture was inspired by two things: This Sinclair Gas Company’s dinosaur and abandoned farm and road machinery. I combined those two images and became interested in the idea that we refer to old machines as dinosaurs and the idea was born. Abstraction has always been important to me and so has a playfulness in my work, once again-the two ideas were combined to create an overly simplified but playful sculpture that invites the viewer to come up with their own interpretations.
Artist: Matt Moyer
Located Southeast corner of Campbell Ave. & Walnut St.
Sponsored by: The Lezah & Ron Stenger Family
Materials: Painted Carbon Steel
Popping Corn
This sculpture is a continuation of my series of mechanically abstract farm-inspired sculptures. I have worked through being inspired by the tractors and loaders, to the elevator and loading systems and am now working from the actual food that is produced. I am interested in the industrialization of our crops and the impact it has on our warming climate. So, the idea of mechanized corn, producing industrialized kernels mixed with slow-motion video of making pop corn inspired this piece.
Artist: Matt Moyer
Located Park Central West
Sponsored by: Missouri State University Department of Art & Design
Materials: Painted Carbon Steel
Against The Wind
Our abstract, whimsical gentleman, with his handlebar mustache and wispy hair obviously blowing in the wind could definitely be walking against a strong wind that is unseen. Where does the wind come from and where does it go? It doesn’t matter how strong the wind gets, this sculpture is firmly rooted in his stance, defying the wind.
Artists: Joe & Terry Malesky
Located Southeast corner of Kimbrough Ave. & Walnut St.
Sponsored by: Stacy & David O’Reilly
Materials: Steel
Padmasana
The title of this piece “Padmasana” comes from the Sanskrit meaning “lotus seat” which is a yoga asana used to practice meditation and stillness of the body and mind. This sculpture serves as a contrast to the taxing parts of humanity and is a reminder to value peace and connection to yourself and the earth. The lotus flower is an analogy for the human condition. It grows in muddy waters but develops into something that is admired by all. Padmasana represents the practices that allow me to find moments of calm during times of struggle and I intend for this piece to encourage others to reflect on and cherish their own.
Artist: Amanda Steimel
Located Northwest corner of Campbell Ave. & McDaniel St.
Sponsored by: Robert & Peg Carolla
Materials: Steel, Solar Light
Candy Mama Cupcake
The cupcake has made a comeback. They are delicious, decadent, and stuffed with childhood nostalgia. They bring to life the nursery rhyme describing what girls are made of: sugar and spice and all things nice! They have made a comeback in pop culture and in feminism as a nod back to the 1950s housewife, baking away, and creating perfect little sweets for their children. But it’s 2020, and we’re not going back, so if cupcakes are going to be a symbol of feminism, it’s gotta be the biggest, lumpiest, beautifully imperfect cupcake there is!
Artist: Melissa Sclafani
Located South of the Historic Downtown Square on South Ave.
Sponsored by: Affinity Wealth Partners
Materials: Fiberglass, Resin & Steel
Springfield Rising
This sculpture represents Springfield’s evolving identity. Stainless steel is a tribute to our community’s enduring fabrication traditions and our ability to continue constructing the future. A rising moon over the stars, the time capsule, serves to offer Springfield’s past to its future. The Ozark’s stalwart pride and strength of human spirit is represented by the vertical orientation of the sculpture. Spin the star? No telling what direction your interaction with Springfield will take you.
Artists: Larry Askren & Mark Askren
Located Northeast Corner of Campbell Ave & Park Central West
Sponsored by: Community Foundation of the Ozarks
Borbor6.1
The works titled Borbor interpret living bodies as vigorous puzzles of bulging tubes. This name comes from “borborygmos”, a Greek word still used by the medical community to refer to one’s familiar digestive noises. The sound of the title spoken aloud suggests an internal rumble.
Artist: Will Vannerson
Located Outside of 326 N. Boonville Ave.
Sponsored by: The McQueary Family
Materials: Hot-Dipped Galvanized Steel
The Sun Worshipper
The Sun Worshipper is a reminder of simple things. The warm Spring sun on your face, the gentle breeze caressing your skin, and the cool new grass under your feet. The idea for this figure was brought on by the first warm day of Spring as everyone ventured from their homes to be outside celebrating the return of the sun. She is made from steel rod and sheet metal with a marriage of basic human anatomy, dreams, and determination.
Artist: Malaina Elliot
Located Northeast corner of College St. & Market Ave.
Sponsored by: Ridewell Suspensions
Materials: Steel-Rod & Sheet
Eggspert
Discovering information in a good book always puts a smile on Humpty Dumpty’s face. Eggspert was originally created in 2017 and cast out of bronze. Kimber creates bronze sculptures that range from fun and whimsical to classical and contemporary. More about Kimber’s sculptures can be found on her website, www. artbykimber.com.
Artist: Kimber Fiebiger
Located Southeast Corner of the Historic Downtown Square
Sponsored by: Robert & Peg Carolla
Materials: Bronze
Quiet Persistence
Quiet Persistence is the physical representation of the transgender experience. Being a non-binary gender, I am speaking about transgender issues. This figure is rough, inspired by the natural curve of the tree. It is not smooth or perfect, rather it is still in the creation process, breaking free from their restraints. The face is detailed to show emotion, but the body is left ambiguous to show a trans body without succumbing to voyeurism.
Materials: Haley Biere
Located Corner of Park Central West and Jefferson Ave.
Sponsored by: Missouri State University College of Art & Letters
Materials: Wood
HomeSpun
“HomeSpun” is a place to sit and feel at home. As you look up at the satellite spinning in the sky above, use your imagination to explore the possibility of communicating with another world. We are only limited by your imagination.
Artist: Nathan Pierce
Located In Jubilee Park at the southeast corner of Jefferson Ave. & St. Louis St.
Sponsored by: Central Bank Central Trust
Materials: Weathered Steel
Sweethearts
Inspired by the Valentine’s Day Candy Treat — This artwork carries thoughtful sayings that appreciation of life and love for your fellow neighbor should be shared throughout the year.
Artist: Craig Grey
Located Park Central East
Sponsored by: Positronic Industries
Materials: Stucco, Steel, Masonry & Back Board
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