This year’s SculptureTour Salina (STS) People’s Choice Award winners were announced via Facebook Live on Thursday, January 25. The Facebook Live event was co-hosted by Mike Hoppock, Chair of the SculptureTour Salina committee, and Brad Anderson, Executive Director of Salina Arts and Humanities. The City of Salina sponsors the People’s Choice Award and will purchase the winning sculpture so that it will remain on public display in Salina.
The 2023 SculptureTour Salina People’s Choice winner is… “Phoenix”, created by Jodie Bliss, creative force and owner of Bliss Studio Custom Metalwork in Monument, CO.
The People’s Merit Award winner of a $1,000 cash award to the artist is… “Mr. Hatter’s Pursuits in Becoming Human: 004 Golden Sphere” by Brady Hatter of Wichita, KS
The Kids’ Choice Award winner of a $500 cash award to the artist is… “Fantastical” by Nancy Bole of Park City, KS
People’s Choice Award winners to date include:
- 2011 – “Watch Dog” by Louise Peterson; On display in Oakdale Park Sculpture Garden – 730 Oakdale Drive
- 2012 – “Sweet Kisses” by Marianne Caroselli; On display in Oakdale Park Sculpture Garden - 730 Oakdale Drive
- 2013 – “Farmer” by Lawrence Starck; soon to be on display at Salina Senior Center – 245 N. Ninth
- 2014 – “Next Up” by James Haire; On display at KWU Tennis Courts – 100 E. Claflin
- 2015 – “Daughters of Peace” by Benjamin Victor; On display at the City/County Building, 2 nd Floor – 300 W. Ash
- 2016 – “Slim” by Dale Lewis, On display at Tony’s Pizza Event Center – 800 The Midway
- 2017 – “Picasso’s Violin” by Jodie Bliss; On display at The Temple – 336 S. Santa Fe
- 2018 – “Patches” by Dale Lewis; On display at The Smoky Hill Museum – 211 W. Iron
- 2019 – “Wheat Harvest” by James Mages; On display at City/County Building – 300 W. Ash
- 2020 – “For the Love of Steel” by Sunny Corbett; On display on N. Santa Fe in front of The Voo – 249 N. Santa Fe
- 2021 – “Butterfly Tree” by Reven Swenson, On display south of the Salina Public Library – 301 W. Elm
- 2022 – “Clarence the Catfish” by Joe and Terry Malesky – Santa Fe & Ash – Downtown
- 2023 – “Phoenix” by Jodie Bliss – site to be determined
About the 2024 Exhibit:
“SculptureTour Salina is entering its 14th year and we are pleased with the artwork that has been submitted to be here on loan for the 2024 exhibit,” stated Mike Hoppock, Committee Chair and City Commissioner. “Jurors have met to finalize the exhibit choices. Artists will be notified next week.”
Everyone is invited to come out and help celebrate at the UNwrap Party on Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 11am. ALL sites are unwrapped at 11 am sharp, with the help of the Salina Fire Department sounding the siren to begin. Jurors’ prizes will be awarded at 1:00pm – from the new stage at Santa Fe & Ash. It will be a great day to be in Downtown Salina! Watch www.salinadowntown.com for details.
About SculptureTour Salina:
Sculpture Tour Salina (STS) is an annual juried competition and exhibition in Salina, Kansas, an extraordinary community boasting cultural organizations and venues of national acclaim. The exhibition 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. $6,250 in Juror’s Merit Awards are presented annually and to date, 43 sculptures have been purchased or donated including the works purchased by the City of Salina through the People’s Choice Award initiative. Each year, the City of Salina designates up to $20,000 for the purchase of the People’s Choice winner. The sculpture is then installed in a public environment within the community, for everyone to enjoy!
