As you drive or walk around downtown Springfield, you may notice a variety of sculptures brightening the streets as you pass. You may not know that these sculptures are a part of an ongoing rotating exhibition called Sculpture Walk Springfield, which aims to enhance Springfield with public art in an accessible way that you should take the time to experience!
The Scoop interviewed Avery Parrish, the Executive Director of the non-profit Sculpture Walk Springfield organization. Parrish gave some personal insights connected to a few highlight pieces in this, “museum without walls with access to all.”
Learn more about each piece by clicking on each heading.
1. Speed of Light by Chris Itsell
“This image is from one of our tours with 5th graders from the Judy School. I really enjoy giving tours to kids because we teach them how to “notice” and “wonder” about the pieces. It helps them develop critical thinking skills, and some of their answers are just funny!”
Speed of Light is located at the Southwest corner of Jefferson Ave. and Walnut St.
2. Mick the Frog Takes a Holiday by James Douglas Cox
“This image is one of my favorite pieces from the 2021-2022 collection. The piece is a whimsical nod to Mick Jagger but also a development of a character in the artist’s mind. This artist is a very skilled technician making huge tanks at Paul Mueller in town, and his command of the medium shines through in the refined quality of this work.”
Mick the Frog Takes a Holiday is located at 326 N. Boonville Ave. Springfield, MO
3. Peace by Jack Howard Potter
“In this picture are individuals who help make Sculpture Walk Springfield happen! We have artists and volunteers Joe and Terry Malesky on the far left who help coordinate and install sculptures brought in from across the USA. Near the center, we have board member James Lea and his two daughters, and on the right, we have Larry Askren and Curtis Marshall, who are both on our board and are passionate entrepreneurs and volunteers!”
Peace is located at Tie & Timber Beer Co. at 1451 E. Cherry St.
4. Guidance by Joe Duggar
“This is the inside of a piece called Guidance by Joe Duggar. I really enjoy revisiting the sculptures on the walk because every time you interact with them, you see or feel something new. All it takes is a moment to live presently, and you will learn to see your environment in new ways.”
Guidance is located at the Northwest corner of Boonville Ave. & Mill St.
