Get out and look at the local art in Wichita. The local art here in Wichita is very fascinating and makes me wonder how it was made and what the inspiration behind it was. Not only that, but it makes me want to try to get out and be creative just like the local artists are with their work.
Below is a list of local art around town that is free to look at whenever you chose.
Keeper of the Plains
Standing 44 feet tall, the Keeper of the Plains statue is the staple piece of Wichita where the Big and Little Arkansas rivers connect. The statue represents the brotherhood of all Native Americans. Every evening the Ring of Fire is lit around the Keeper of the Plains, except during inclement weather, at 9 – 9:15 pm during the spring and summer and 7 – 7:15 pm during the fall and winter. These fire pots lit up for 15 minutes but don’t get turned on if the river is too high or if a person is standing too close.
- Architect/Artist: Blackbear Bosin
- Material: Weathering steel
- Hours: 5 am – 12 am
- Location: 339 Veterans Pkwy, Wichita, KS 67203 – Veteran’s Memorial Park
Wichita Stonehenge
Wichita’s very own Stonehenge Jr. was designed as a solstice calendar. This Stonehenge only works during the winter solstice when we use standard time and that is the only time that the sun is the highest point in the sky and lines up with high noon.
- Architect/Artist: Steve Murillo
- Materials: Limestone megaliths with colored glass embellishments
- Hours: Dawn to dusk
- Location: 720 N Nims St, Wichita, KS 67203 – Central Riverside Park
Douglas Avenue Streetscape
There are 31 bronze sculptures from the Georgia Gerber collection along the streets in Wichita, Douglas Avenue. The largest, and my favorite, sculpture in this collection is the dime store counter recreation. This specific sculpture represents the peaceful protests of the Dockum Drug Store sit-ins, located in Lewis Reflection Square Park.
- Architect/Artist: Georgia Gerber
- Materials: Bronze
- Hours: 24/7
- Location: Douglas Avenue between Main Street and Topeka Boulevard
Paragon (Waterwalk Statue)
The paragon statue represents Native Americans who founded our city and the aviation history in Wichita. The sculpture is a spire pointing to the sky.
- Architect/Artist: Albert Paley
- Materials: Weathering steel, stainless steel, and bronze
- Hours: 24/7
- Location: Southwest corner on Main and Waterman – along the WaterWalk
Wind Spirit Gateway
This gateway into the city represents a boat’s hull, with sails, and obelisks.
- Architect/Artist: Robert Roesch
- Materials: Stainless steel
- Hours: 24/7
- Location: Main Street on the North side of Kellogg
John Kearney Sculptures
John Kearney has many sculptures resembling life-size animals. There are six different sculptures all around the same area.
Chrome Bumper Horse:
- Located in Downtown Wichita at the Ruffin Building
Chrome Bumper Pig:
- Located in Downtown Wichita inside the Ruffin Building
Chrome Bumper Giraffe:
- Located in Downtown Wichita inside the Ruffin Building
Chrome Bumper Bull:
- Located in the Delano District on Douglas Avenue
Chrome Bumper Goats:
- Located in Downtown Wichita inside the Ruffin Building
About:
- Architect/Artist: John Kearney
- Materials: Chrome and metal
- Hours: 24/7
Gallery Alley
Gallery Alley is made up of many amazing pieces of art made by artists from our city. This is a beautiful public space with outdoor seating and festoon lighting to give a garden effect. Feel free to stop by the shops and restaurants around the area to shop and eat locally.
- Architect/Artist: Many different local artists.
- Hours: 24/7
- Location: 616 E Douglas Ave, Wichita, KS 67202
Troll Statue
“The Wichita Troll” is hidden beneath the sidewalk and some people don’t even realize they are walking over it. However, at night it is lit up by a green light to illuminate the statue. It is seven feet tall and stares up at the grate to show that it is chained in jail.
- Architect/Artist: Connie Ernatt
- Materials: Bronze
- Hours: 24/7
- Location: 777 W Central Ave, Wichita, KS 67203
The Wichita Art Museum Art Garden
The Art Garden, which first opened in the fall of 2015, is free and open to the public every day. It’s a “roofless museum” with over 20,000 plantings and 13 outdoor sculptures that reflect the places and plantings of Kansas and provides Wichitans with yet another beautiful place to walk and enjoy our city.
- You can find renowned sculptures by: Henry Moore, Tom Otterness, Jun Kaneko, and others
- Location: The Wichita Art Museum is located at 1400 W. Museum Blvd. in Wichita, KS.
More Coming Soon!
Email wotcinfo@gmail.com if you have any ideas about what should be added!
