By SALINA POST
It's almost time to find out which works won the SculptureTour Salina's People's Choice Awards.
Announcement of the annual awards is scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday in front of The Hoffman Building (formerly UMB), at Santa Fe Avenue and Iron Avenue. The SculptureTour Salina Committee hopes to have plans finalized so that the permanent location of the winning sculpture also can be announced.
“We are so excited to announce the People Choice winner for 2021. This is personally my favorite part of the SculptureTour Salina experience. I love that everyone can vote, express themselves, and be part of the choice!” said Sylvia Rice, SculptureTour Salina Committee member and Visit Salina director for the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce.
The winners of the Merit Award and Kids Choice Award also are scheduled to be announced at the Thursday event.
Previous People’s Choice Award winners and their locations include the following.
2011 – “Watch Dog” by Louise Peterson; On display in Oakdale Park Sculpture Garden
2012 – “Sweet Kisses” by Marianne Caroselli; On display in Oakdale Park Sculpture Garden
2013 – “Farmer” by Lawrence Starck; soon to be on display at Salina Senior Center
2014 – “Next Up” by James Haire; On display at KWU Tennis Courts
2015 – “Daughters of Peace” by Benjamin Victor; On display at the City/County Building, 2nd Floor
2016 – “Slim” by Dale Lewis, On display at Tony’s Pizza Event Center
2017 – “Picasso’s Violin” by Jodie Bliss; On display at The Salina Innovation Foundation
2018 – “Patches” by Dale Lewis; On display at The Smoky Hill Museum
2019 – “Wheat Harvest” by James Mages; On display at City/County Building
2020 – “For the Love of Steel” by Sunny Corbett; On display on N. Santa Fe in front of The Voo
About SculptureTour Salina
SculptureTour Salina is an annual juried competition and exhibition that is open to all artists creating works suitable for outdoor display. Approximately 20 sculptures are selected and carefully sited in historic downtown Salina. Sculptures remain installed for one year and the program is marketed to provide both viewing enjoyment to community and visitors as well as a sales opportunity for participating artists. Each year, the City of Salina designates $15,000 toward the purchase of the People’s Choice winner. The sculpture is then installed in a public environment within the community.
“SculptureTour Salina is entering its 12th year and we are pleased with the artwork that has been chosen to be here on loan for the 2022 exhibit,” said Mike Hoppock, SculptureTour Salina Committee Chair and city commissioner. “We invite everyone to come out and help us celebrate UNwrapping those sculptures on Saturday, May 7 at 11 a.m. Jurors’ prizes will be awarded at 1 p.m. – all in the 67401 Plaza. Salina Downtown Inc. has some fun scheduled to follow, with their Spring Sprinkler. We will also continue our 2022 celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Cozy Inn!"