Edmond Public Art
Art In Public Places
Edmond’s public art program has helped ll the city with a sense of community and culture. The Edmond Visual Arts Commission is responsible for all of the public art around the city, and is in charge of expanding the art collection, promoting the public art program, and maintaining the pieces. These pieces are funded in one of three ways: Donations, public/private partnerships, and CIP 1% set-aside funds.
The public art program began in 2002, with 14 pieces in the inventory. Now, there are over 200 pieces, with the 200th being installed in June of 2018. Within this collection, there are many installations from Oklahoma natives, and some from artists who are known and admired throughout the world. The City’s art program has created a great attraction for tourists and given Edmond residents something to be proud of.
Bicycle Art Tour
This tour invites participants to enjoy a scenic bicycle ride through Edmond while discovering more than 20 featured works of public art. Self-guided route options are available to accommodate riders of all experience levels. Tour lengths include a 7.5-mile full route, a 4.5-mile route mid-length option, and a 2.5-mile route that remains entirely within Mitch Park.
The turn-around point for the 2.5-mile tour will take you from piece number 7 to piece number 16. From there, you will complete the rest of the tour. The turn-around point for the 4.5-mile tour will take you from piece number 9 to piece number 14. From there, you will complete the rest of the tour.
Rosie Sandifer 23
Stick Horse Stampede
“Stick Horse Stampede” by Rosie Sandifer is an entertaining piece that depicts the joys of childhood. This bronze was sponsored by the Edmond Rotary Club in partnership with the Edmond Visual Arts Commission. It was placed in Mitch Park at the MAC in 2004.
When working on this piece, artist Rosie Sandifer derived inspiration from Coming Through the Rye. In a quote from her website, she says, “It was pure fun to create this arrangement of children on their stick horses, with ropes and their dog.” Beautiful art installations like this one have made her a renowned artist, and have won her dozens of awards.
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On the Edge Clay Enoch
“On the Edge” by Clay Enoch gives a unique perspective on the fun being had by a group of young children in the pool. This bronze was constructed in 2014 and installed in Edmond in 2016. It was purchased with 1% CIP funds and matching partnership funds with Randel Shadid, R.C. Van Nostrand, and the YMCA through the Edmond Visual Arts Commission.
This clever con guration not only demonstrates the carefree nature of childhood, but it celebrates diversity as well. The sculpture features ve children of di erent cultural backgrounds: African American, Asian American, Caucasian, Hispanic, and Native American. The concept behind “On the Edge” does a great job at showing us that we can actually learn more from children than they may learn from us.
Friends
Alsum
“Best Friends” by Gary Alsum is a touching bronze sculpture that sits at Mitch Park by the disc golf area. It was paid for in partnership with Dan and Barbara Cunningham and friends of Tye Cunningham. This 2005 piece was placed in Mitch Park as a memorial to Tye Cunningham, who designed and built the disc golf course.
The central theme behind Gary Alsum’s work has always been to celebrate the gift of life, and this piece in particular does just that. Not only does it depict a boy and a dog playing a game of disc golf, chasing after each other, but it does a wonderful job at celebrating the life of Tye Cunningham. Best
West Edmond Field
Jim Franklin
“West Edmond Field” by Jim Franklin is a marvelous bronze that sits inside of Mitch Park. This piece commemorates the West Edmond Field, which, at one time, was one of the most productive oil elds across the globe. In the 1940’s, at the peak of World War II, this eld produced 7.75 million barrels of oil. This amount of product meant there was signi cant revenue for the workers. Many of the men who worked on the rig were military members coming back from the war. West Edmond Field gave these men an opportunity to start families and create a life here in Edmond.
The two men depicted in “West Edmond Field” were based o of veterans from the community. Thanks to the help of Foundation Chairman Curt Munson and artist Jim Franklin, two young veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan were chosen to model for the statue. The young veterans who helped model for this statue are a great representation of the men who worked on the West Edmond Field and helped make Edmond what it is today.
95 Years and Planting Girl Scout Centennial Artist
“95 Years and Planting” and “Tree” Girl Scout Centennial by Shan Gray are two astonishingly realistic sculptures paired together in Mitch Park. Shan Gray is an Oklahoma native who does his best to create life-like pieces. In a quote from this artist, he says “I am strongly rooted in the tradition of classical sculpture. My goal is always to capture the detail accurately in the unmoving bronze medium to carry o the illusion of bringing the monument to life.”
The two statues featured in this display come together to honor the Girl Scouts of America. They are both constructed of bronze and were placed in their current location in 2007. They were sponsored by the Edmond Visual Arts Commission partnered with the Redlands Council Girl Scouts and the Deer Creek Girl Scouts.
OKC Bombing Memorial for Edmond Victims
Architect, Duane Mass
The “OKC Bombing Memorial for Edmond Victims,” created by architect Duane Mass, is one of the most chilling installations in the city of Edmond. It is located in a quiet area of Mitch Park and honors the Edmondites who lost their lives in the bombing of the Murrah Building on April 19, 1995. Diane E. Althouse, Paul Broxterman, Robert Chipman, Benjamin Davis, Carrol Fields, Ethel L. Gri n, Christi Jenkins, Donald Ray Leonard, James A. McCarthy, Kenneth McCullough, Pat Nix, Antonio (Tony) Reyes, Jules Valdez, Johnny Wade, David Jack Walker, Michael Weaver, Alan G. Whicher, and Ronota Ann Woodbridge were 18 of the 168 Oklahomans who passed away on this day.
Each one of these victims had a unique life. Some were former military members; some were parents; some were coaches; and some were on their way to retirement. Although these people had their own stories, they did have at least one thing in common: they were all cherished members of the Edmond community. After the blast, the community showed their support for the family members of the victims, and turned a dark time into a moment of hope, unity, and strength.
Little Shepherd Girl Dee Toscano
“Little Shepherd Girl” by Dee Toscano was donated by Susan and Mike Arnold. This bronze belonged to Dr. Mona J. Motz (1941–2015), the aunt of Susan and Mike, and they donated it to the city in her memory. When the sculpture was rst donated, it was in rough shape, but thanks to some cleaning and a new patina, she looks astounding.
This sweet statue embodies a sense of peace and warmth. The piece portrays a little girl wrapped in a shawl with a tiny lamb right by her side. Inside the shawl, there is another lamb curled up against the girl, with its head barely peeking out.
“Reverence” by David Pearson, partnered with Rowell Sargeant, o ers a beautiful and lasting way to honor and remember a loved one’s life.
The plaque reads: “in loving memory of Corrie S. Sargeant - Wife and Momma ‘Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.’ Proverbs 31:28-29”
L'Ete
Randy Marks
“L’Ete” is a bright yellow sculpture that was created by Randy Marks, who is known best for his mixed-media and steel creations. This particular piece was constructed of steel. At one time it sat in the Edmond Historical Society and Museum but was moved to its current location at Mitch Park. The artist said that for this statue, he envisioned “a warm summer day and a child running and jumping into a pond or lake.”
“L’Ete” was brought to the city of Edmond in 2004. It was paid for in partnership with the Edmond Historical Society.
Reverence
Pearson
Red Sails
Jim Stewart
“Red Sails” by Jim Stewart is another rich red piece that is a real head-turner. This powder coated steel sculpture is one of several by Jim Stewart with his signature vibrance and sleek look. It sits in the Kelley Avenue median, north of Covell.
“Red Sails” is one of a few pieces in the Edmond public art collection that was sponsored by Dakil Auctioneers, Inc. in partnership with the Edmond Visual Arts Commission. It was placed in the city in 2013, and has captivated a large audience since then.
Tall Grass
Dale Lamphere
“Tall Grass” by Dale Lamphere is a marvelous stainless steel and stone sculpture that sits outside of RCB Bank. The natural inspiration behind this piece mixed with a modern twist sets it apart from many steel sculptures that you will see. The artist, Dale Lamphere took great in uence from his family farm growing up as he decided to educate himself on art.
This statue was paid for in partnership with Citizens Bank. In fact, it is one of four pieces in Edmond that were partnered on by Citizens Bank. It was brought to the city in 2005, and cost a total of $98,500.
Mark Twain
Gary Lee Price
“Mark Twain” is the rst of many life-sized sculptures that celebrates the great contributors in the sciences, arts, philosophy, literature, and music. These works appear in a series by Gary Lee Price, a bronze artist who holds the greatest number of works in Edmond’s public art inventory. The people in this series are the ones who went above and beyond at their craft and worked to change the world.
Samuel Langhorne Clemens, widely known by the pen name Mark Twain, is one of the world’s most well-known writers. Two of his most famous novels are The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Twain was a wildly interesting and intelligent man whose wit and satirical nature earned him international attention. He was friends with many prestigious individuals, including presidents, royalty, and artists. One of the most interesting facts about Mark Twain is that he was born shortly after Halley’s Comet, and stated that he would probably die, or in his words, “go out with,” the comet as well. Twain passed away on the day after Halley’s Comet came the closest to Earth.
Cinco Ventanas Greg Reiche
“Cinco Ventanas” by Greg Reiche is a naturalistic sculpture that can be marveled from any angle. This piece sits in the Broadway median, just south of Covell, allowing for it to be seen from many di erent points of view. “Cinco Ventanas” was installed in Edmond in 2020 and was paid for in partnership with Randel Shadid. It was a replacement to another Greg Reiche piece entitled “Tuntawu O ering” that was destroyed in a hit and run accident in October 2019.
“Cinco Ventanas” is constructed entirely of stone and glass. The artist uses these materials in many of his works to try to maintain a connection to elements in nature. On his website, he states “Within these elements lie unlimited possibilities. I choose them for their strength, expression, and beauty.
Duet
Je Laing
“Duet” by Je Laing is a sharp piece made out of a bright stainless-steel. This sculpture was placed in Edmond in the year 2010. It was sponsored by the Edmond Visual Arts Commission partnered with Jimmie Shadid-Brown.
The artist of “Duet” was not always in the eld of ne arts. Je Laing was working at a corporate job, when a tragic loss prompted him to look back at his life. Je began to realize that life is too short to be stuck doing something that he did not enjoy, and began working as a full-time artist.
Endeavor
Je Laing
“Endeavor” is one of ve brilliant sculptures in Edmond that have been created by Je Laing. This fascinating piece is set to represent our feelings as we navigate this never-ending story called life. Within the statue, there are three distinct points made of stainless-steel that appear to be moving with the wind.
“Endeavor” was installed in the city of Edmond in 2009. Since then, it has become a beloved work of art that the community enjoys interacting with. In fact, someone in the Edmond community places a Santa hat on each one of the points every year around Christmas time. Thanks to the Edmond Visual Arts Commission and Randel Shadid partnering on “Endeavor,” there has been a large sense of community created around the piece.
Dancing
Timber R idge Family
Ar tist
“Dancing Timber Ridge Family ” by Darroll Riddick is a touching steel sculpture that sits in an open area of a park in the Timber Ridge neighborhood. I t depicts a family holding hands and swinging in a circle. They are all joined together as a unit, and even the dog is tak ing par t.
This piece was paid for in par tnership by the Timber Ridge Homeowner ’s Association. The neighborhood HOA wanted something to represent the community as a whole and demonstrate what is great about Timber Ridge. “Dancing Timber Ridge Family ” was placed in 2006, and still stands tall today.
Golden Wings
Gerald Balciar
“Golden Wings” by Gerald Balciar is one of four powerful eagle statues displayed in the city of Edmond. This speci c piece depicts an eagle mid- ight who appears to be watching over the city with piercing eyes. The magni cent detail shown in every aspect of this statue make it seem as if it will come to life at any moment.
This astonishing bronze was installed Edmond in 2004 and sits at the Sonic Drive In, making it a talking piece for most people coming to the restaurant. It was sponsored by the Edmond Visual Arts Commission partnered with the Sonic Corporation.
African Sunset
Je Laing 17
“African Sunset” by Je Lang is an extraordinary stainless-steel arch that captivates its viewers. The shine from this statue can be seen from almost a mile away, and the hints of colorful glass lining the inside of it make it even more interesting to look at. The longer you observe this piece, the more details you will nd.
This sculpture was sponsored by Randel and Dana Shadid in partnership with the Edmond Visual Arts Commission. It was placed in the year 2011, and has shined in the Edmond community ever since.
Wheel of Time
Je Laing 18
“Wheel of Time” by Je Laing is an absolutely stunning wheel that sits on a pedestal. The wheel is constructed of steel with pieces of colorful Dichroic glass throughout. This special type of glass is two-toned, and changes colors in di erent lighting and angles. When you see Dichroic glass in a Je Laing piece, it is probably because his wife, Susan, put it there.
This sculpture was constructed in 2009 and still looks brand new today. It was paid for in partnership with Dr. and Mrs. Damon Johnson, DDS.
Small Galaxy Andrew Carson
“Small Galaxy” by Andrew Carson is a remarkable sculpture that is lled with vibrance and color. Andrew Carson is an expert in creating kinetic pieces that move with the wind. He loves it when people interact with his sculptures and creates many of them for that very reason. This speci c work is lled with dozens of bright hues that spin and sway with the breeze.
This kinetic stainless-steel sculpture was brought to Edmond in 2011. It was paid for in partnership with Dr. and Mrs. Damon Johnson and remains a fan favorite for both children and adults alike.
“Crescent Moon” by Je Laing is one of ve pieces by this artist in the City of Edmond’s inventory. It is also the second sculpture by this artist to be sponsored by Dr. and Mrs. Damon Johnson, DDS partnered with the Edmond Visual Arts Commission. It was placed in Edmond’s Mitch Park in 2010.
This breathtaking sculpture has a crescent shape and takes on a more abstract form. One unique thing about this piece is that, just like the moon, it looks beautiful at any time, day or night. The versatility seen in “Crescent Moon” seems to re ect the leap that Je Laing took when he quit his corporate job to pursue art.
Crescent Moon Je Laing 20
Pete Delasi
“Purple Heart Memorial Monument” by Pete Delasi is a sturdy, granite tribute that honors Purple Heart recipients. It was a partnership piece, funded through public and private partnerships, including funds from the Military Order of the Purple Heart. The memorial is located around the West entrance of Edmond’s Mitch Park and stands at about ve feet tall.
The “Purple Heart Memorial Monument” was placed in recognition of the heroes who have received the great honor of the Purple Heart, and in communicating the purpose of the Purple Heart. The text at the top of the monument reads: “Dedicated to all men and women wounded in combat. All gave some. Some gave all.”
Sacagawea
Glenna Goodacre
“Sacagawea” by Glenna Goodacre stands tall at the entrance of Edmond’s Mitch Park. This piece was made possible by Mo and Richard Anderson, in partnership with the Edmond Visual Arts Commission. This bronze is the largest single-donor piece in Edmond’s art collection with a total cost of $95,000 and the donation being $65,000.
This sculpture depicts Sacagawea, a Native American woman who was most famously known for helping Lewis and Clark on their mission of exploring the Louisiana Territory. She was born in 1788, and at the age of 12 was taken by Hidatsa Indians. She was eventually taken by a French-Canadian Trapper named Toussaint Charbonneau, and at the age of 16, was forced to become his wife. That same year, Sacagawea began her journey with Lewis and Clark. For the rest of her life, she contributed to natural history and became a symbol for women’s independence and Native American liberation.
Purple Heart
Memorial Monument
On The Edge - Clay Enoch
Best Friends - Gary Alsum
West Edmond Field - Jim Franklin
95 Years and Planting Girl
Scout Centennial - Shan Grey
OKC Bombing Memorial for Edmond VictimsArchitect, Duane Mass
Little Shepard Girl - Dee Toscano
Reverence - David Pearson
L'Ete - Randy Marks
Red Sails - Jim Stewart
Tall Grass - Dale Lamphere
Mark Twain - Gary Lee Price
Cinco Ventanas - Greg Reiche
Duet - Jeff Laing
Endeavor - Jeff Laing
Dancing Timber Ridge FamilyDarroll Riddick
Golden Wings - Gerald Balciar
African Sunset - Jeff Laing
Wheel of Time - Jeff Laing
Small Galaxy - Andrew Carsonr
Crescent Moon - Jeff Laing
Purple Heart Memorial MonumentPete Delasi
Sacagawea - Glenna Goodacre
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350+ Public art pieces
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