The two–year planning efforts of volunteers from the City Center Partnership and Twin Rivers Council for the Arts collaborated for a large public art incentive.
Tami Paulsen says, "It's a walking tour so people are able to walk within a series of bocks and will able to easily visualize it."
An idea they got from Sioux Falls, which has seen major success in trade and traffic and they say they're anticipating the same outcome for Mankato.
The walking tour will feature 24 artists all across the country including Arizona, Florida and New York.
Nineteen sculptures will be located in the City Center and 6 will sit in Lower North Mankato.
Tami Paulsen says, "Public art is a major enhancement to the ascetic of any city center so that is what really has gotten me so excited and enthralled about being able to bring this for our community and it's citizens."
More than 65,000 pounds of Minnesota stone pedestals, each base weighing between 2,000 to 4,000 pounds are being installed on the streets of City Center Mankato this week. And by May 21it's where the statues will be placed.
Shannon Robinson says, "It's a wide range of mediums from bronze, iron marble, wood and then whether you like realism or you like abstract work there's going to be something for everyone."
Tami Paulsen says, "We have one that's composed of handle bars from bicycles, which is a very interesting piece so they are all different from very contemporary and abstract to very traditional and really the quality of the art is simply outstanding."
Each spring they will trade out the current statues with a new batch featuring different artists.
However, the community is able to vote on their favorite statue and the top choice will be permanently installed.
