Sculpt Siouxland introduces a new streetscape
By Jesse Claeys Journal staff writer | Posted: Sunday, May 18, 2008
Twenty new sculptures are now on display as part of the 2008 Sculpt Siouxland exhibit.
"I think it's our best year yet," said Sara Miller, this year's Sculpt Siouxland chairperson. "We have such a variety this year of steel, bronze and wood pieces."
Sioux City Growth Organization members founded Sculpt Siouxland in 2005 after recognizing the need for diverse attractions downtown. The project's goal is to increase foot traffic there as well as to educate and promote interactive art.
This year's exhibit features 20 new sculptures placed along Fourth Street between Virginia and Pearl streets. During the project's past years, six sculptures were purchased to remain on permanent display, bringing the total to 26 sculptures.
The works will remain on display for approximately one year until they are auctioned next spring to help raise money for the project.
The following is a description of the sculptures.
Maggie Mae
Artist, hometown: Deb Zeller, Victoria, Minn.
Location: Fourth and Douglas, middle of the block
Artist says: One of two works Zeller has in Sculpt Siouxland this year, Maggie Mae is a realistic depiction of one of Zeller's favorite Shelties. "I knew she wasn't going to live forever, so I had to make a bronze Maggie Mae so I would have my little Sheltie friend around the rest of my life." Maggie Mae has managed to stay alive so far. "She's deaf, she walks with a limp, she's not that pretty anymore, but she's still going."
Dancing with the Stars
Artist, hometown: Steven Kammerer, Sioux City
Location: Fourth and Douglas, northeast corner
Artist says: One of two Sioux City artists feature in this year's exhibit, Kammerer's piece was inspired by, in his words, the "no-mind" television program "Dancing with the Stars." "The general body movement and flow of line as a result of the flexibility of the professionals interested me."
Red Gear Head
Artist, hometown: Albert Belleveau, Puposky, Minn.
Location: Fourth and Douglas, middle of block
Artist says: Belleveau considers himself a welder first, an artist second. Living in northern Minnesota logging country, Belleveau spends the bulk of his time fixing tree-cutting machinery. This piece was made out of a snapped crank shaft, and is one of two Belleveau sculptures in this year's exhibit.
Jacob's Ladder
Artist, hometown: Danuta Hutchins, Storm Lake, Iowa
Location: Fourth and Douglas, middle of block
Artist says: Married to a chemistry professor at Buena Vista University, Hutchins created an abstract piece, a visual depiction of DNA, that is a statement on the connection between the theories of evolution and creationism. "There's a lot of talk about how science and scientists are not really connected with our spiritual selves and with the biblical story [of creation]. I think it is all because people don't read the bible or don't know science. I think scientists test their models all from precepts that are somehow spiritually embedded in our psyche."
Why Not?
Artist, hometown: Roger Junk, Minneapolis, Minn.
Location: Fourth and Douglas, middle of block
Artist says: Junk was commissioned by an art collector to create a sculpture of a male dancer. Junk then presented 24 small-scale models to his client. One was picked and Junk is now making larger sculptures based off of his leftover models.
Rise Again
Artist, hometown: Kevin Wormstadt, Spearfish, S.D.
Location: Fourth and Pierce, northwest corner
Artist says: Wormstadt said he chose to depict a Phoenix because of his fascination with mythical creatures. According to mythology, this bird rises from its own ashes every 100 years to define a new era. "Maybe people will think we can rise again, or that we can be at the dawn of a new era," Wormstadt said.
The Plunge
Artist, hometown: Deb Zeller, Victoria, Minn.
Location: Fourth and Pierce, southwest corner
Artist says: The most expensive piece featured in Sculpt Siouxland this year, Zeller said it is also the largest sculpture she has ever made. The Plunge happened by accident when she was creating a 27-piece sculpture of the human form. "I had the lower torso of the piece sitting on the workbench and said, 'Ah, my figure is plunging into my workbench.' That was actually the inspiration for this big piece."
Boston Terrier
Artist, hometown: Sondra Jonson, Cambridge, Neb.
Location: Fourth and Pierce, southeast corner
Artist says: When a new park opened in Lincoln, Neb., last year, one of the park's donors asked Jonson to create a sculpture of a Boston Terrier to decorate the new green space. "Well, the Boston Terriers are a really good breed and very loyal, but they are also very hyper. The dog that modeled for me bit me twice. That made it very memorable."
Nature at Play
Artist, hometown: Gary Keenan, Des Moines, Iowa
Location: Fourth and Pierce, northeast corner
Artist says: This piece, a wood carving showing a variety of animals at play, is all about fun, Keenan said. "I feel so much of art is on the serious side. One of the jobs in front of us should be to just entertain, to tell people to just have fun."
Playtone
Artist, hometown: Adam Donner, Wayne, Neb.
Location: Fourth and Pierce, southeast parking lot
Artist says: Sculpt Siouxland is one of the first times this recent Wayne State College graduate has placed one of his works for public display. Created as a college project, Donner said the abstract form should lead viewers to thoughts of music. On a side note, this aspiring architect didn't like the creative arts much at first. "I hated art class in high school."
Queued Up
Artist, hometown: Kate Christopher, Mahtomedi, Minn.
Location: Fourth and Pierce, in front of Daily Grind
Artist says: A common theme in Christopher's work is the appearance of "The Stanleys," a group of bald men in suits. She says they represent the "everyman" of society. Here Christopher shows "The Stanleys" "desperately trying to get life right, to do something right, but they are not convinced that they know what right is so they are always a little hesitant to act."
The Three Graces
Artist, hometown: John Jastram, Sioux Falls, S.D.
Location: Fourth and Pierce, in front of Karlton's
Artist says: The Three Graces is a famous classical sculpture depicting the three daughters of Zeus, who were said to represent beauty, charm and joy. Here Jastram gives his take on the famous subject and ends up with something not so much about a stunning visual form. "I think our vision of beauty has changed due to the way our media has decided to define it. I guess these forms could be considered ugly, but there should be some thought about beauty coming from within," Jastram said.
Just Between Us
Artist, hometown: Linda Lewis, West Des Moines, Iowa
Location: Fourth and Nebraska, southwest side, near Central Bank
Artist says: Lewis said she likes representational art, but doesn't like the stuff that leaves little to the viewer's imagination. Here, finding a balance to her liking, Lewis clearly shows a man and a woman together, but as for what she's doing or saying to him, that's anybody's guess. "I guess it's about that intimate interaction," Lewis said.
Tomorrow's Energy?
Artist, hometown: William Lieb, Spirit Lake, Iowa
Location: Fourth and Nebraska, southwest corner
Artist says: A retired architect new to sculpting, Lieb created this abstract shape first and tried to define it later. After "living" with the piece for awhile, Lieb said believes it looks similar to an oil rig that is deteriorating or a windmill that is withering with time. "This is a very abstract expression of a number of ideas of where energy might come from in the future," he said.
Hang up your hat
Artist, hometown: Ken Peterson, Sioux City
Location: Fourth and Nebraska, in front of Little Chicago Deli
Artist says: Here Peterson continues to explore a reoccurring character he created that is basically just a big nose. It's playful and funny, he said, and this particular one is saying Sioux City is good place to live, although it's a bit of a backhanded compliment. "I landed here four years ago and have found it is a great place to live. It's also an ironic nod to the fact that Sioux City has a bit of a smell to it."
Joy
Artist, hometown: Roger Junk, Minneapolis, Minn.
Location: Fourth and Jones, convention center entrance
Artist says: One of two similar pieces Junk is displaying this year. Commissioned to create a sculpture of a male dancer, Junk developed 24 models to present to the client. One was picked and Junk is now making larger sculptures based off of his leftover models. "It's just a happy movement," Junk said.
Look and You Will Find It
Artist, hometown: Kate Christopher, Mahtomedi, Minn.
Location: In front of middle of convention center
Artist says: Inspired by a quote from Sophocles, this piece is about attitude, according to Christopher, and a refusal to let life get a person down. "Just about the time life is getting you down, look up because it's a pretty exciting place to be alive in. I think if people look for the good in things they'll find it." On a side note, Christopher is running for a seat in the Minnesota House of Representative.
Outcropping House 3
Artist, hometown: Albert Belleveau, Puposky, Minn.
Location: Fourth and Jones/Virginia on grass
Artist says: This is the third time Belleveau has built an outhouse out of stones wrapped with steel. He considers stones "old souls" and believes the work is a metaphor for humankind. "In wrapping this very contemporary type of material around them, steel, which in a couple hundred years will rot away, and then the stones will fall out of the outhouse and do what stones do, which is get littler. Its very similar to us being as we are basically just flesh-wrapped souls."
Dragon
Artist, hometown: Gary Keenan, Des Moines, Iowa
Location: Fourth and Jones/Virginia, northeast corner
Artist says: Fans of this large dragon carved from American Elm can thank Keenan's daughter. "The wings are up, the head titled down a bit as if to have her majestic and proud. My daughter didn't want it to look wicked."
String Trio
Artist, hometown: William Lieb, Spirit Lake, Iowa
Location: Fourth and Virginia, northwest corner.
Artist says: Lieb spent a number of weeks with this abstract piece until a title came to him. "When I removed the masking tape, it looked to me like music could be playing on the surface of this deal. Some of the shapes looked like musical instruments, and that suggested three people standing together playing musical instruments."
Sculpt Siouxland audio tour
Download a Sculpt Siouxland video podcast walking tour that features a follow-along map with photos and interviews with the artists.
Vote for your favorite
If you’ve explored all the sculptures or just want more on the artists, see our searchable map, then vote for your favorite. All votes are tallied as part of the Sioux City Growth Organization’s People’s Choice Award.
Find this at siouxcityjournal.com/sculptsiouxland
"I think it's our best year yet," said Sara Miller, this year's Sculpt Siouxland chairperson. "We have such a variety this year of steel, bronze and wood pieces."
Sioux City Growth Organization members founded Sculpt Siouxland in 2005 after recognizing the need for diverse attractions downtown. The project's goal is to increase foot traffic there as well as to educate and promote interactive art.
This year's exhibit features 20 new sculptures placed along Fourth Street between Virginia and Pearl streets. During the project's past years, six sculptures were purchased to remain on permanent display, bringing the total to 26 sculptures.
The works will remain on display for approximately one year until they are auctioned next spring to help raise money for the project.
The following is a description of the sculptures.
Maggie Mae
Artist, hometown: Deb Zeller, Victoria, Minn.
Location: Fourth and Douglas, middle of the block
Artist says: One of two works Zeller has in Sculpt Siouxland this year, Maggie Mae is a realistic depiction of one of Zeller's favorite Shelties. "I knew she wasn't going to live forever, so I had to make a bronze Maggie Mae so I would have my little Sheltie friend around the rest of my life." Maggie Mae has managed to stay alive so far. "She's deaf, she walks with a limp, she's not that pretty anymore, but she's still going."
Dancing with the Stars
Artist, hometown: Steven Kammerer, Sioux City
Location: Fourth and Douglas, northeast corner
Artist says: One of two Sioux City artists feature in this year's exhibit, Kammerer's piece was inspired by, in his words, the "no-mind" television program "Dancing with the Stars." "The general body movement and flow of line as a result of the flexibility of the professionals interested me."
Red Gear Head
Artist, hometown: Albert Belleveau, Puposky, Minn.
Location: Fourth and Douglas, middle of block
Artist says: Belleveau considers himself a welder first, an artist second. Living in northern Minnesota logging country, Belleveau spends the bulk of his time fixing tree-cutting machinery. This piece was made out of a snapped crank shaft, and is one of two Belleveau sculptures in this year's exhibit.
Jacob's Ladder
Artist, hometown: Danuta Hutchins, Storm Lake, Iowa
Location: Fourth and Douglas, middle of block
Artist says: Married to a chemistry professor at Buena Vista University, Hutchins created an abstract piece, a visual depiction of DNA, that is a statement on the connection between the theories of evolution and creationism. "There's a lot of talk about how science and scientists are not really connected with our spiritual selves and with the biblical story [of creation]. I think it is all because people don't read the bible or don't know science. I think scientists test their models all from precepts that are somehow spiritually embedded in our psyche."
Why Not?
Artist, hometown: Roger Junk, Minneapolis, Minn.
Location: Fourth and Douglas, middle of block
Artist says: Junk was commissioned by an art collector to create a sculpture of a male dancer. Junk then presented 24 small-scale models to his client. One was picked and Junk is now making larger sculptures based off of his leftover models.
Rise Again
Artist, hometown: Kevin Wormstadt, Spearfish, S.D.
Location: Fourth and Pierce, northwest corner
Artist says: Wormstadt said he chose to depict a Phoenix because of his fascination with mythical creatures. According to mythology, this bird rises from its own ashes every 100 years to define a new era. "Maybe people will think we can rise again, or that we can be at the dawn of a new era," Wormstadt said.
The Plunge
Artist, hometown: Deb Zeller, Victoria, Minn.
Location: Fourth and Pierce, southwest corner
Artist says: The most expensive piece featured in Sculpt Siouxland this year, Zeller said it is also the largest sculpture she has ever made. The Plunge happened by accident when she was creating a 27-piece sculpture of the human form. "I had the lower torso of the piece sitting on the workbench and said, 'Ah, my figure is plunging into my workbench.' That was actually the inspiration for this big piece."
Boston Terrier
Artist, hometown: Sondra Jonson, Cambridge, Neb.
Location: Fourth and Pierce, southeast corner
Artist says: When a new park opened in Lincoln, Neb., last year, one of the park's donors asked Jonson to create a sculpture of a Boston Terrier to decorate the new green space. "Well, the Boston Terriers are a really good breed and very loyal, but they are also very hyper. The dog that modeled for me bit me twice. That made it very memorable."
Nature at Play
Artist, hometown: Gary Keenan, Des Moines, Iowa
Location: Fourth and Pierce, northeast corner
Artist says: This piece, a wood carving showing a variety of animals at play, is all about fun, Keenan said. "I feel so much of art is on the serious side. One of the jobs in front of us should be to just entertain, to tell people to just have fun."
Playtone
Artist, hometown: Adam Donner, Wayne, Neb.
Location: Fourth and Pierce, southeast parking lot
Artist says: Sculpt Siouxland is one of the first times this recent Wayne State College graduate has placed one of his works for public display. Created as a college project, Donner said the abstract form should lead viewers to thoughts of music. On a side note, this aspiring architect didn't like the creative arts much at first. "I hated art class in high school."
Queued Up
Artist, hometown: Kate Christopher, Mahtomedi, Minn.
Location: Fourth and Pierce, in front of Daily Grind
Artist says: A common theme in Christopher's work is the appearance of "The Stanleys," a group of bald men in suits. She says they represent the "everyman" of society. Here Christopher shows "The Stanleys" "desperately trying to get life right, to do something right, but they are not convinced that they know what right is so they are always a little hesitant to act."
The Three Graces
Artist, hometown: John Jastram, Sioux Falls, S.D.
Location: Fourth and Pierce, in front of Karlton's
Artist says: The Three Graces is a famous classical sculpture depicting the three daughters of Zeus, who were said to represent beauty, charm and joy. Here Jastram gives his take on the famous subject and ends up with something not so much about a stunning visual form. "I think our vision of beauty has changed due to the way our media has decided to define it. I guess these forms could be considered ugly, but there should be some thought about beauty coming from within," Jastram said.
Just Between Us
Artist, hometown: Linda Lewis, West Des Moines, Iowa
Location: Fourth and Nebraska, southwest side, near Central Bank
Artist says: Lewis said she likes representational art, but doesn't like the stuff that leaves little to the viewer's imagination. Here, finding a balance to her liking, Lewis clearly shows a man and a woman together, but as for what she's doing or saying to him, that's anybody's guess. "I guess it's about that intimate interaction," Lewis said.
Tomorrow's Energy?
Artist, hometown: William Lieb, Spirit Lake, Iowa
Location: Fourth and Nebraska, southwest corner
Artist says: A retired architect new to sculpting, Lieb created this abstract shape first and tried to define it later. After "living" with the piece for awhile, Lieb said believes it looks similar to an oil rig that is deteriorating or a windmill that is withering with time. "This is a very abstract expression of a number of ideas of where energy might come from in the future," he said.
Hang up your hat
Artist, hometown: Ken Peterson, Sioux City
Location: Fourth and Nebraska, in front of Little Chicago Deli
Artist says: Here Peterson continues to explore a reoccurring character he created that is basically just a big nose. It's playful and funny, he said, and this particular one is saying Sioux City is good place to live, although it's a bit of a backhanded compliment. "I landed here four years ago and have found it is a great place to live. It's also an ironic nod to the fact that Sioux City has a bit of a smell to it."
Joy
Artist, hometown: Roger Junk, Minneapolis, Minn.
Location: Fourth and Jones, convention center entrance
Artist says: One of two similar pieces Junk is displaying this year. Commissioned to create a sculpture of a male dancer, Junk developed 24 models to present to the client. One was picked and Junk is now making larger sculptures based off of his leftover models. "It's just a happy movement," Junk said.
Look and You Will Find It
Artist, hometown: Kate Christopher, Mahtomedi, Minn.
Location: In front of middle of convention center
Artist says: Inspired by a quote from Sophocles, this piece is about attitude, according to Christopher, and a refusal to let life get a person down. "Just about the time life is getting you down, look up because it's a pretty exciting place to be alive in. I think if people look for the good in things they'll find it." On a side note, Christopher is running for a seat in the Minnesota House of Representative.
Outcropping House 3
Artist, hometown: Albert Belleveau, Puposky, Minn.
Location: Fourth and Jones/Virginia on grass
Artist says: This is the third time Belleveau has built an outhouse out of stones wrapped with steel. He considers stones "old souls" and believes the work is a metaphor for humankind. "In wrapping this very contemporary type of material around them, steel, which in a couple hundred years will rot away, and then the stones will fall out of the outhouse and do what stones do, which is get littler. Its very similar to us being as we are basically just flesh-wrapped souls."
Dragon
Artist, hometown: Gary Keenan, Des Moines, Iowa
Location: Fourth and Jones/Virginia, northeast corner
Artist says: Fans of this large dragon carved from American Elm can thank Keenan's daughter. "The wings are up, the head titled down a bit as if to have her majestic and proud. My daughter didn't want it to look wicked."
String Trio
Artist, hometown: William Lieb, Spirit Lake, Iowa
Location: Fourth and Virginia, northwest corner.
Artist says: Lieb spent a number of weeks with this abstract piece until a title came to him. "When I removed the masking tape, it looked to me like music could be playing on the surface of this deal. Some of the shapes looked like musical instruments, and that suggested three people standing together playing musical instruments."
Sculpt Siouxland audio tour
Download a Sculpt Siouxland video podcast walking tour that features a follow-along map with photos and interviews with the artists.
Vote for your favorite
If you’ve explored all the sculptures or just want more on the artists, see our searchable map, then vote for your favorite. All votes are tallied as part of the Sioux City Growth Organization’s People’s Choice Award.
Find this at siouxcityjournal.com/sculptsiouxland
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