Fall is the perfect time to experience the eclectic mix of sculptures in Downtown St. Joseph, Missouri, during the 9th annual Allied Arts Council Sculpture Walk 2022-23! The pieces range from abstracts that make you think to beautiful life-size sculptures that make you smile.
Rocky, a rebar sculpture by Springfield, Nebraska, artist Carl F. Weiss is the People’s Choice favorite so far this year. Weiss creates his pieces by blending centuries-old techniques and more modern processes to make custom furnishings, gates, sculptures and monuments. He included a photo of his “model” with his application for the St. Joseph Sculpture Walk.
“Rocky inspired me because he is a dog with a big personality and these indescribable cords of fur. I took a picture to work from since sitting still is not Rocky’s strong suit,” said Weiss.
Saturday Distractions, another popular piece, is the work of sculptors Lee Leuning and Sherri Treeby of Aberdeen, South Dakota. Their approach to bronze sculpture delivers high realism to their “Americana” sculptures and their contribution to this year’s Sculpture Walk is no exception. The sculpture is of young man so distracted by his book he forgets about his melting ice cream cone, which has his pup ready to take care of drips. His baseball glove tucked into his belt suggests he is late to a game too.
The Sculpture Walk is a year-long exhibit of juried, outdoor sculptures in Downtown St. Joseph. This year’s 18 sculptures feature stunning works of art created by artists from across North America, including pieces by Missouri sculptors. Viewers of the sculpture walk are encouraged to vote for their favorite sculpture by completing the ballot found in the walking tour brochure and dropping it off in one of the ballot boxes downtown or by dropping it off at the Allied Arts office, 118 S. 8th Street.
This Allied Arts Council program is made possible through a partnership with the City of St. Joseph, the St. Joseph Downtown Community Improvement District, business sponsors, and Friends of the Sculpture Walk. For more information visit the Allied Arts Council’s website, www.stjoearts.org, or contact Teresa Fankhauser at teresa.fankhauser@stjoearts.org, or 816-233-0231.
