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The City of Park Rapids and Park Rapids Arts and Culture Commission sponsor the Park Rapids Sculpture Trail in Red Bridge Park and Downtown Park Rapids. This year, artists were given a suggested theme of water. Several sculpture.
The Park Rapids Sculpture Trail started in 2018 with six sculptures in Red Bridge Park. In 2019, solar lighting was added to highlight each sculpture and the Sculpture Trail expanded with the addition of two artworks Downtown. For 2026-27, the Sculpture Trail offers six new sculptures in Red Bridge Park and seven Downtown. Sculptures are selected from among artists in an annual spring competition. They are displayed for one year and most are available for sale.
Sculpture photos by Laura Grisamore.
Oh Deer
by Paul Albright, Akeley, MN
Sponsored by C.R.E.A.T.E.
Value = Not for Sale
Description: Mostly Tamarac
Pondwater Summit
by C.R.E.A.T.E. / The Depot - Park Rapids, MN
Sponsored by Park Rapids Rotary Club
Value = $3,000
Description: Metal, resin, recycled metal
Artist statement from instructor Charlie Arvik. "Being the theme for this year’s exhibit is water, I felt compelled to draw on my experiences from enjoying Northern Minnesota’s many ponds and lakes. I feel that freshwater is important for our flora and fauna, so I thought it fitting that a goose, a red winged blackbird, a turtle and a dragonfly would be having a meeting. The materials in this sculpture are a recycled air compressor tank, some new metal, and for the first time, we are using epoxy resin in our sculpture. Alongside staff, this piece was constructed by approximately 15 clients of our program. We hope you enjoy our Pondwater Summit. Our clients had so much fun and are so proud of what they have created! We appreciate the opportunity to have their work displayed year after year and we are so thankful for your continued support."
Website: : https://www.createpr.org/the-depot
Trail of Tears
by Duane Goodwin - Bemidji, MN
Sponsored by Heartland Arts
Value = Not for Sale
Description: Limestone
"My philosophy is empowering the spirit with beauty, vision and strength. These values are translated into my work, by capturing the elegance of an eagle or the beauty of a horse." Note: Trail of Tears is located inside the Gallery @ the Armory, 203 Park Ave. So. If the gallery is closed, it can be seen in the window. Call 218-237-3722 for hours.
Website: Website: https://www.deweygoodwin.com
Manure
by Mark Hall - Kasota, MN
Sponsored by Arvig
Value = $6,000
An intriguing combination of repurposed "value-added" farming implements "We just completed building (this entry), entitled 'manure (v.)' An intriguing word when used as a verb. This piece has lived in my brain for 30 years so it's good to finally make it for display. This unit spins very easily - which is exciting to discover. Yes, a former manure spreader suddenly transformed into artistic expression."
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HallmarkGlass
School's Out
Artist: Jerry Mevissen
Sponsor: Anonymous
School's Out
by Jerry Mevissen - Sebeka, MN
Sponsored by Anonymous
Value = Contact the artist - Rivermanjm@gmail.com
Description: Metal and acrylic
Water
… covers 71% of planet earth,
… comprises 60% of the human body, and
… is our best friend and most destructive enemy in Nature.
Water is the lifeblood of the planet and the animal and vegetable life that inhabit it. "School's Out" is a paean to water and creatures that call it home. It's a found-objects sculpture, made of re-fashioned chrome clothing display racks, electrical conduit, and a sheet of ice blue acrylic. A breeze causes the conduit fish to swim and causes the acrylic to shimmer like water current. Thanks to Nate Schaper for construction advice and assistance.
King Norway
by Tim Nelsen - Bemidji, MN
Sponsored by Northwoods Bank
Value = $4,900
Description: Recycled steel and found objects
Metal artist Tim Nelsen creates one-of-a-kind metal sculptures using recycled metal and found objects. His hybrid metal sculptures have been showcased on sculpture walks throughout the Midwest and feature his signature style of highly detailed pieces with pops of color.
Website: Nelsen Studios
Patent Pending
by Tim Nelsen - Bemidji, MN
Sponsored by Thielen Motors
Value = $3,600
Description: Recycled steel and found objects
Patent Pending is made entirely of recycled materials found on northern Minnesota farmsteads. It features an old wagon wheel rim, recycled roller chain, a vintage cast iron pulley wheel, cultipacker plow wheels and an old farm water pump as a base.
Website: Nelsen Studios
Golden Hour
by Jim Pedersen - Walker,MN and Ryan Pedersen - North Mankato,MN
Sponsored by Crystal Brook by Vivie
Value = $2,395
Description: Clear Coated Aluminum
Inspired by how light catches the quiet rippling waters as the sunset begins to illuminate the path of the flow.
Website: Pedersen Metal Design
Intersecting Realms
Artist: Jim Pedersen and Ryan Pedersen
Sponsor: Anonymous
Intersecting Realms
by Jim Pedersen - Walker,MN and Ryan Pedersen - North Mankato,MN
Sponsored by Anonymous
Value = $5,895
Description: Welded and powder coated steel
Inspired by the graceful fusion of intersecting curved planes. Through this design, the sculpture invites viewers to contemplate the relationship of diverse elements within our world, celebrating the beauty found in convergence.
Website: Pedersen Metal Design
Splash
Artist: Keith Raivo
Sponsor: Russ Skoe Family Trust
Splash
by Michael Pettit - Dent, MN
Sponsored by Russ Skoe Family Trust
Value = Contact the artist - evolutestudios@msn.com
Description: Painted steel and glass
"Splash is an older sculpture of mine that I recently reworked with a new base and glass set. The base represents a wave that drops and streams of water are emerging from, forming the splash. This sculpture was reworked with the help of the Lake Region Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Culture Heritage Fund."
Facebook: The Sculpture Sanctuary
Fly on Leaf
by Andrew Pudas
Sponsored by Good Life
Value $5,000
Description: Mild steel repurposed yard rakes
"This all-encompassing sculpture should impress with its shine and colorful mouths."
Mother Earth
Artist: Keith Raivo
Sponsor: Lydia Rose / Call Joe
Mother Earth
by Keith Raivo - Brook Park, MN
Sponsored by Lydia Rose / Call Joe
Value = $4,000
Description: Stainless steel
This sculpture, "Mother Earth," represents nature in human form. She brings forth life, feeds and nurtures us all.
Grass Side Menagerie
Artist: Clayton Johnson
Permanent Sculpture at Bearly Used Thrift Store
Grass Side Menagerie
by Clayton Johnson - Park Rapids, MN
Permanent Sculpture at Bearly Used Thrift Store
Description: Grass Side Menagerie was selected for the Sculpture Trail and located in Red Bridge Park for 2021-22. In 2022 it was acquired by the Hubbard County DAC and located at Bearly Used Thrift Store on Main Ave. So. Clayton enjoys making art out of materials that would otherwise be trash. Repurposed steel, (mower blades) are stamped with "grass side" for installation. “That is where the name comes from, the whimsical creatures make up the menagerie. I like the viewer to be able to decide what the story is…"
Tube Dude
Artist: Scott Gerber
Permanent Sculpture
Located in the Red Bridge Park
Tube Dude
by Scott Gerber - Sarasota, FL
Permanent Sculpture for Red Bridge Park
Description: The Tube Dude mounted on the Red Bridge Park kiosk was installed in 2015. It is made of aluminum, almost all from a recycled source.
Permanent Sculpture located in the Red Bridge Park
Facebook: Tube Dude
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