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. In 2015, the Tube Dude, by Scott Gerber was installed in Red Bridge Park and inspired the idea of adding more sculptures. The Arts and Culture Advisory Commission took on the project in 2018 adding six sculptures in the park. In 2019, solar lighting was added to highlight each sculpture and the Sculpture Trail expanded with the addition of two artworks Downtown. For 2024-25, the Sculpture Trail offers five new sculptures in the park and seven Downtown. Sculptures are selected from among artists in an annual spring competition. They are displayed for one year and always available for sale. Red Bridge Park is located at 175-199 Beach Road (east of US Hwy. 71/Park Avenue North, about a block north of the stoplights at the junction of Hwy. 71 and state Hwy. 34).
Sculpture photos by Laura Grisamore.
Osprey and Trout
Artist: Paul Albright
Sponsor: Anonymous
Osprey and Trout
by Paul Albright - Akeley, MN
Sponsored by Anonymous
Value = $12,000
Description: Metal
Sticks and Stones
by Barb Christiansen - Ponsford, MN
Sponsored by Klein Insurance
Value = $300
Description: Metal, wood, rock
Spring Dreams
by Hubbard County DAC Collaborative - Park Rapids, MN
Sponsored by Northview Bank
Value = $1,500
Description: Metal
Depot artists, a program within the Hubbard County Developmental Achievement Center program, collaborated to weld the Spring Dreams piece in 2023. Four artists met with the teaching artists twice per week to plan and create Spring Dreams from recycled materials that were brought into The Depot. The idea came from the gardening program they also work on at The Depot. Client artists worked on multiple aspects of the project including cutting, grinding, heating, bending of the metal and pieces and then finally the welding. They are very proud of the work they have done and feel the piece is a great representation of Spring. Teaching instructor is Charlie Arvik and Curt, Andy, Ben and Sam all helped create the finished piece.
Website: HCDAC
Summer Marsh
by The Depot: Charlie Arvik and Students - Park Rapids, MN
Sponsored by Sanford Park Rapids Clinic
Value = SOLD
Description: Mixed metal, recycled materials.
Hubbard County Developmental Achievement Center has a training program to help adults with Intellectual developmental disabilities and pervasive mental health issues learn skills that can help them with competitive integrated employment in the community Participants begin learning to use simple tools like hammers, screwdrivers and wrenches and, as they develop their skills, they learn to use grinders, tables saws and other woodworking equipment. We have 8 artists who have found they really enjoy metal working and use grinders, cutting torches and welders to reuse waste metal into useable items that are sold in our store, The Depot, and to create beautiful art. They submitted 2 sculptures this year. Summer Marsh and Spring Dreams were collaborative projects with the teaching artists and client artists.
Website: HCDAC
Half Sail
by Jon Kamrath - Mahtomedi, MN
Sponsored by Park Rapids Rotary Club
Value = $3,000
Description: Steel, aluminum
Half Sail is a smaller, more intimate pedestal version of my popular Full Sail series. This abstract sailboat uses a strong contrast between dark, distressed steel components and bright, clean aluminum panels. The organic feel of the steel, juxtaposed with the vibrant motion ground into the aluminum creates a striking visual, constantly changing with the position of the sun or viewer.
Website: KamrathSculpture.com
Facebook: Kamrath Sculpture
Iron Steed
Artist: Jim and Ryan Pedersen
Sponsor: Skoe Family Trust
Iron Steed
by Jim and Ryan Pedersen - North Mankato, MN
Sponsored by Skoe Family Trust
Value = $3,295
Description: Weathered steel
Drawn by the nostalgia of the tines on an aged drag tiller, reminiscent of the retired plow horse now peacefully grazing in the pasture, symbolizing the evolution of farming practices.
Website: Pedersen Metal Design
Shiners
by Michael Pettit - Dent, MN
Sponsored by Thielen Motors
Value = $2,000
Description: Steel, aluminum, copper
Facebook: The Sculpture Sanctuary
Dragon Egg
by Michael Pettit - Dent, MN
Sponsored by Northwoods Bank
Value = $2,000
Description: Steel
Facebook: The Sculpture Sanctuary
Flower Power
by Keith Raivo, Brook Park, MN
Sponsored by Hubbard County DAC
Value = $6,000
Description: Stainless steel & steel
Not Afraid to Look
Artist: Charles Rencountre
Sponsor: Heartland Arts
Not Afraid to Look
Charles Rencountre - Santa Fe, NM
Sponsored by Heartland Arts
Value = NOT FOR SALE
Description: Rebar and pencil rod as armature and sculpted in concrete colored with concrete paint.
The “Not Afraid to Look” sculpture in Park Rapids is a replica of the original erected at the Sacred Stone Camp on the Missouri River during the Standing Rock resistance gathering. The sculptures emerged from an “effigy pipe," originally carved and used at the end of the 17th century. The artist said, “I am honored beyond words to have this vision continue. Especially now when all human kind should "Not be Afraid to Look" at the changes we have to make to insure the health of our mother the earth, for the next seven generations of all our relatives.”
Website: CharlesRencountre.com
Facebook: CharlesRencountre
Website: Giiwedinong.org
Facebook: Giiwedinong
River Run
by Craig Snyder, Plymouth, MN
Sponsored by Park Rapids Downtown Business Association
Value = $9,200
Description: Steel, stainless steel, aluminum, cedar
Website: Fireshapes
Grass Side Menagerie
Artist: Clayton Johnson
Permanent Sculpture
Located at Bearly Used Thrift Store on Main Ave.
Grass Side Menagerie
by Clayton Johnson - Park Rapids, MN
Permanent Sculpture located at Bearly Used Thrift Store on Main Ave.
Description: Grass Side Menagerie was selected for the Sculpture Trail and located in Red Bridge Park for 2021-22. In May 2022, the sculpture was donated to 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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