Entries are being accepted for the 2022 Park Rapids Sculpture Trail. Entry deadline is March 25. Artists will be notified of selection committee results by April 8 and will have until May 20 to install their works. Artists will receive a $500 honorarium once their sculptures are installed and paperwork is completed.
The 2022 Sculpture Trail entry form is available here.
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. In 2021, five new sculptures were added in the park and eight were installed 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. 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).
2021 sculpture photos by Laura Grisamore.
Asteria
by Tim Adams - Webster City, IA
Sponsored by Hubbard County DAC / Bearly Used
Value = $4,000
Description: 'Asteria' Greek goddess of shooting stars, astrology and prophetic dreams. The kinetic blue aster "bouquet" represents the nocturnal oracles and astrological wizardry of Asteria. The abstract rusted steel figure conveys her dark mysterious nature in foretelling the future.
Website: Tim Adams Originals Metal Sculpture
Hidden Treasure
Artist: Paul Albright
Sponsor: Russel Skoe Family Trust
Hidden Treasure
by Paul Albright - Akeley, MN
Sponsored by Russel Skoe Family Trust
Value = $2,800
Description: Hidden Treasure is located in Red Bridge Park. Made of wood on a metal stand, the cupped hands are 2 feet in diameter. It is Paul's first time separating the sphere dyads to form hands.
Facebook: Albright Sculptures
Hand Painter
by Al Belleveau - Puposky, MN
Value = $10,000
Description: Hand Painter, located in Red Bridge Park, is one of a series of sculptures Al Belleveau calls: Stone Age Artists. At many pictograph and cave locations we find hand paintings. These are accomplished by filling tubes of rolled leaves or reeds with ochre red dirt and blowing it over their hands. The original posting on your wall. Made of stone and steel in a technique he calls Rock Iron Art.
Website: rockironart.com
Brother Unity
by Mark V. Hall - Kasota, MN
Sponsor: Northview Bank
Value = $7,500
Description: A quiet whisper, a notion to see; this spirit vessel suggested to me. Let’s celebrate together hands up to the sky. Hearts filled with gratitude we’ll learn how to fly! Brother Unity is located in Red Bridge Park.
Facebook: Hallmark Glass
Grass Side Menagerie
by Clayton Johnson - Park Rapids, MN
Sponsored by Park Rapids Rotary Club
Value = $5,000
Description: 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." Grass Side Menagerie is located in Red Bridge Park.
Crossroads
by Jon Kamrath - Mahtomedi, MN
Value = $4,500
Description: Made of steel and aluminum
Website: Kamrath Sculpture
Animal Realized
by Isaac Kidder - Minnetrista, MN
Sponsored by Park Rapids Downtown Business Association
Value = $3,000
Description: Animal Realized is an abstraction of familiar animal forms (e.g. owls or foxes) and looks out toward the community as if to say hello. Its bright red color pairs beautifully with the green grass and leaves of spring and summer, complements the yellow and amber leaves during fall and is visually striking against the white snow of winter. The sculpture’s symmetrical design incorporates simple geometric shapes (i.e. eight identically-sized isosceles triangles and two identically-sized circles). It is fabricated from steel and stands 4 feet tall, 3 feet 7 inches wide and 2 feet 6 inches deep and at the base it is 2 feet 2 inches wide and 1 foot 9 inches deep.
Facebook: Isaac Kidder Fine Art and Photography
Website: Isaac Kidder
Large Stone Mobile #10
Artist: David Montague
Sponsor: Carter and Florence Hedeen
Large Stone Mobile #10
by David Montague - Brooklyn Park, MN
Sponsored by Carter and Florence Hedeen
Value = $2,200
Description: David Montague is a kinetic sculptor and visual artist. The kinetic sculpture - hanging mobiles - that he creates can be described as part organic and part geometric. "My mobiles interact with the viewer and the environment through endless transformations. "My mobiles are made from large smooth stones and stainless steel rods, welded joints and top quality components. They are arranged as abstract shapes in delicate equilibrium. Each design is unique and meticulously balanced. My work is safe, durable and easy to install." An alternative to traditional sculpture, it is a pleasure to see David’s mobiles in motion in Downtown Park Rapids.
Website: Montague Mobiles
Mechanical Guppy
by Tim Nelsen - Bemidji, MN
Value = $4,200
Description: Mechanical Guppy, created of recycled steel, retired tools and recycled brass, is located in Downtown Park Rapids. The artist states he creates art for one reason: "It makes me happy. The materials I use and the subjects I choose all speak to me on a personal level. From finding materials to sketching and creating the final product, the entire process is something I really enjoy.”
Website: Nelsen Studios
Golden Hour
by James Pedersen - Walker, MN & Ryan Pedersen - North Mankato, MN
Sponsored by CHI St. Joseph's Health
Value = $2,295
Description: Golden Hour is inspired by how the light catches the quiet rippling water as the sunset begins to illuminate the view. It is made of ground and heat treated steel, copper and applied welds. The Pedersens are a father and son collaborative team.
Website: Pedersen Metal Design
Visions I
by Patrick Shannon - Vergas, MN
Sponsored by Klein Insurance Park Rapids
Value = $1,200
Description: Patrick Shannon’s work is about involvement - the interaction of different materials and their relationship to the environment. Visions I is located in Red Bridge Park.
Website: Forest Edge Gallery
The Whimsy Tree
by David Welle - Nevis, MN
Value = $1,300
Description: Trees construct themselves from carbon, water and sunlight to be resilient, flexible and balanced. They are stoical by nature. In his construction, David Welle used found materials to illustrate the tree’s whimsical aspects and highlight each one’s individuality.
Head Dressed
by Simon Zornes - Bagley, MN
Value = $2,000
Description: This particular granite sculpture is truly unique.
Facebook: Simon Zornes
Tube Dude
Artist: Scott Gerber
Tube Dude
by Scott Gerber - Sarasota, FL
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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