Wayne installed 11 new sculptures this summer in a Sculpture Walk which will be on display until May 2024. The Sculpture Walk features exhibit installations from across the United States.  

Free guides for the Sculpture Walk are available at the Wayne Economic Development Chamber office at 108 W. Third St. in Wayne, and the “Otocast” app describes each sculpture from the artists in their own words.  

“You can listen to the artist tell about the sculpture in their own words which is really kind of neat to hear their process about why they do what they do and how they come up with the design,” Irene Mock, the assistant director for the Wayne Area Economic Development, said. 

All of the sculptures are available for purchase. Prices are listed in the brochure ranging from $2,100 to $20,000. In addition to the 11 sculptures, two from the first installation were purchased locally and are still on display. 

“This would be the third summer and every summer that we’ve done this they’ve been on what’s called the Best of Northeast Nebraska Backroads Tour,” Mock said. “It’s a promotional tour made-up of the counties in northeast Nebraska, so it’s good exposure.” 

Mock said after Mayor Cale Giese declared an emphasis on art in the community, the city commissioned an artist to paint the mural on the side of the Majestic Theatre. The city and art community then started to put together the first Sculpture Walk.  

The first year was the most challenging as many decisions needed to be made about how the sculptures were selected, where they would be displayed and many other details. Now in the third year with everything set, the big decisions are picking the sculptures & deciding which location best fits each sculpture.  

Mock said the Sculpture Walk and others like it across the country give artists the opportunity to be paid and have their work displayed in many cities. The Sculpture Walk gives the residents of Wayne and its visitors the opportunity to experience art from all over the country. Anyone is welcome to submit an application for their sculpture to be in the Sculpture Walk. On the application, some of the specifics needed are dimensions, materials, weight and price, which are all taken into consideration when selecting pieces.