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 2023-24, the Sculpture Trail offers five new sculptures in the park and eight Downtown. The sculptures are selected from among artists in an annual spring competition. They are displayed for one year, available for sale and may be removed when the changeover occurs in May 2024. 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.
Dot to Dot
by Barb Christiansen - Ponsford, MN
Sponsored by Park Rapids Downtown Business Association
Value = $300
Description: Made of steel and stained glass.
Starnomoly
by Daniel J. Duerst - Bemidji, MN
Sponsored by Thielen Motors
Value = $2,500
Description: Made of pre-finished aluminum on a steel base.
The Eternal Flame
by Isaac Kidder - Minnetrista, MN
Sponsored by Sanford Park Rapids Clinic
Value = $12,850
Description: Made of copper and steel.
Website: isaackidder.com/sculptures
Triangle Play
by Sunghee Min - Roseville, MN
Sponsored by Klein Insurance
Value = $9,000
Description: "Triangle Play'll was created with playfulness in mind and offers a variety of forms by shifting perspective. The idea was inspired by party flags, banners and fireworks, which are commonly associated with celebratory events and festivities. I am interested in systems of order, repetition and shapes. I use these elements to create works that provide a dynamic visual experience. I want my work to convey the excitement and playfulness that one would expect from a festive event."
Website: sungheemin.com
Farmhouse Fish
by Tim Nelsen - Bemidji, MN
Sponsored by Thelen's Excavating, Septic & Logging
Value = $3,300
Description: "Farmhouse Fish" is fabricated entirely of recycled steel. It isn't meant to represent any certain type of fish; it is simply a stylized interpretation of a fish. The piece uses a multitude of different tools, recycled scrap metal, large nuts & bolts, roller chain, spoons, wrenches, rebar and gears. The blue & green colors in this sculpture are taken from two old wheel barrows, while the yellow is from an old oil drum. The name "Farmhouse Fish" was chosen because all of the materials used to build this sculpture came from a farmhouse near Bemidji.
Instagram: @nelsenstudios
Nautilus
Artist: Jim and Ryan Pedersen
Sponsor: Anonymous
Nautilus
by Jim and Ryan Pedersen - North Mankato, MN
Sponsored by Anonymous
Value = $6,695
Description: Nautilus is inspired by the repetitive and spiraling design so often found in nature. It is made of welded and painted handlebars. The Pedersens are a father and son collaborative team.
Website: www.pedersenmetaldesign.com
Big Money
by Michael Pettit - Dent, MN
Sponsored by Northwoods Bank
Value = $5,000
Description: "My sculpture 'Big Money" was created in 2022. By using Monticello on the tail side and a simplified Indian as the head, I hoped people would think about the two groups of people exploited the most in America’s quest for wealth. The piece is steel with a clear finish and repurposed cast iron for a base."
Facebook: The Sculpture Sanctuary
Dragonfly
by Michael Pettit - Dent, MN
Sponsored by Good Life
Value = $6,000
Description: "My sculpture, 'Dragonfly,'' has been well received when shown, receiving a third place award at Sioux Falls, SD in 2007. The sculpture was also shown at Ames, IA in 2003. A copy is in the Harbor Park Sculpture Walk 2022-23. Another copy of the sculpture is also in the Minnesota State Collage collection."
Facebook: The Sculpture Sanctuary
Down Boy
Artist: Keith Raivo
Sponsor: Skoe Family Trust
Down Boy
by Keith Raivo, Brook Park, MN
Sponsored by Skoe Family Trust
Value = $4,000
Description: "My dog, a black lab, 60 pounds, a beggar, a barker, a digger, is my companion. He's older now, but thinks he is still a pup. He does occasionally jump up to try and lick my face… that's the pose I captured. I’m a terrible pet owner."
Thread to the Past
by Keith Raivo - Brook Park, MN
Sponsored by Northview Bank
Value = $4,000
Description: "Growing up in Mora, MN, sighting a Sandhill Crane was a rarity. Now, every year, their hauntingly ancient sounding call marks the end of winter and start of spring. I love it. Sandhill and other cranes are the oldest living birds on the planet. Their taxonomic order dates back almost to the dinosaurs' extinction. Sandhill Cranes inspire me."
Drip Edge
Craig Snyder - Plymouth, MN
Sponsored by Park Rapids Rotary Club
Value = $6,200
Description: Made of steel.
Website: Fireshapes.com
Instagram: @Fireshapes
The Girl and The Fox
by Molly Wiste, Hackensack, MN
Sponsored by Heartland Arts
Value = $3,000
Description: "In today’s overly connected world, we can often lose sight of ourselves. In the fast pace of it all, I believe one place we can find ourselves again is in creation. The fox represents nature, given to us by the creator."
Facebook: Wiste Woodworks
White Earth Calendar
by Simon Zornes, Bagley, MN
Sponsored by Hubbard County DAC
Value = $8,000
Description: Many indigenous people look at a turtle’s back as a Lunar calendar with its pattern of 13 large scales standing for 13 moons in each year. The pattern reminds us all things are connected and we must live in balance.
Facebook: Art from Nature
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
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 for Red Bridge Park
Facebook: Tube Dude
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