New outdoor sculptures to be installed at lakefront

KENOSHA – There will soon be 10 new outdoor sculptures along the lakefront as part of the biennial Sculpture Walk – HarborPark 2024-2026 exhibit.

“There is always great excitement about the installation of new sculptures, even though we’re also sad to see the previous sculptures go,” said Natalie Strohm, Sculpture Walk project manager. “The new sculptures will not disappoint. We’re thrilled to be showcasing new artists and new styles of public art.”

The current sculptures will be removed and most of the new sculptures installed during the week of September 16th. At least two sculptures will be installed during the end of October due to artist availability, Strohm said.

Sculpture Walk-HarborPark 2024-2026 is made possible through the sponsorship of individuals and businesses. The project is coordinated by the Arts Fund, which is a component fund of the Kenosha Community Foundation.

“The funds raised help support the artists who have created each sculpture, and also go toward supporting the arts throughout Kenosha County,” Strohm said.

Strohm said there is some exciting news surrounding this year’s installation. One of the current sculptures will be made permanent and there is a new Sculpture Walk-HarborPark location.

“Sculptor Bruce Niemi, who had been a longtime Kenosha County resident, has generously donated his piece, Coming Together, to the City of Kenosha Water Utility and it will remain on display outside near the Pierhead Lighthouse in the roundabout area of the O. Fred Nelson Water Production Plant, 100 52nd Place,” Strohm said. Niemi is dedicating the piece to the late Mary Tunkieicz, a longtime supporter of his work. Niemi retired two years ago and has moved to Florida.

There will also be a new location for an outdoor sculpture at the St. Matthew’s Elder Garden, 5901 Fourth Avenue, as part of the Sculpture Walk-HarborPark 2024-2026 exhibit, Strohm said.

“It has always been a goal of the Arts Fund to grow the Sculpture Walk and to bring outdoor public art to a greater number of places in Kenosha,” Strohm said.

Most of the sculptures are located along the promenade on the south side of HarborPark, with an additional sculpture at Civic Center Park, 5600 Sheridan Road, and now the new location at the Elder Garden, Strohm said.  

The new sculptures, which will be in place until September of 2026, and the sponsors are:

• No Strings Attached by Paul Bobrowitz, Colgate, WI – Sponsored by the Kloss Foundation
• Incipient by Luke Achterberg, Onalaska, WI – Sponsored by Snap-on Incorporated
• The Feather by Kirk Seese, Lutherville Timonium, MD – Sponsored by The Family of Howard J. Brown
• Lift Off by Judd Nelson, Wayzata, MN – Sponsored by Uline
• High Steppin’ by Andrew Arvanetes, Kankakee, IL – Sponsored by Patricia Petretti
• Bear by Paul Bobrowitz, Colgate, WI – Sponsored by Tom and Ruth Clark
• Magnify by Kirk Seese, Lutherville Timonium, MD – Sponsored by Callahan Palmer Charitable Trust – Junior Board
• Salude by John Adduci, Chicago, Il – Sponsored by Visit Kenosha
• Swooshy by Ted Sitting Crow Garner, Chicago, IL – Sponsored by the City of Kenosha
• Peace on Earth by Shencheng Xu, Chicago, IL – Sponsored by Jennie Tunkieicz

For more information about the Sculpture Walk – HarborPark, email artsfund@kenoshafoundation.org or contact the Kenosha Community Foundation at 262-654-2412.