2025 CityArt Sculpture Tour Kicks Off This Saturday

CityArt is thrilled to announce the installation of the annual CityArt Walking Sculpture Tour on Saturday, May 17. This exhibition of thirty-two new pieces—representing over $400,000 of art from renowned sculptors throughout the country – will be placed throughout the Mankato and North Mankato City Center and promises to captivate art enthusiasts and casual viewers alike. The upcoming exhibition will showcase new, original works of art created in a diverse range of styles, sizes, and mediums from local, regional, national and international artists.

In honor of the sculpture installation, CityArt invites community members to a Kick Off Your Walk Community Day, Saturday morning from 10:00-12:00 p.m. Community members are invited to stop by the CityArt tent on the 200 block of Belgrade Avenue in North Mankato or the Carnegie Art Center in Mankato. Both locations will offer treat bags (while they last), information about the tour, guided tours and an opportunity to meet the artists. Additionally, the Carnegie Art Center will offer family-friendly music, chalk art, and face-painting. At both locations CityArt Walking Sculpture Tour brochures with maps of this year’s tour will be available as well as materials for the annual bookmark contest. The bookmark contest is a great opportunity for budding artists. Live music at the Carnegie Art Center will be provided by Kaleb Braun-Schulz (10 – 11) and Colin Scharf (11 – 12). CityArt volunteer tour guides will lead free tours of the new sculptures at 10:30 a.m. (starting at the Carnegie Art Center) and 11:00 a.m. (starting from the 200 block of Belgrade Avenue in North Mankato).

The CityArt Walking Sculpture Tour is an exciting exhibit of outdoor sculptures displayed year-round in the CityCenters of Mankato and North Mankato. Local, regional and national artists submit their sculptures to CityArt in the fall and selected sculptures are installed and exhibited starting in May of the following year.

Sculptures remain for one year. During that time, the sculptures are eligible for various artistic awards and prizes and are also promoted to the public for sale or lease.

CityArt is a joint program of the City Center Partnership and Twin Rivers Council for the Arts dedicated to
bringing public art to the community. CityArt initiatives include the Walking Sculpture Tour, CityArt On the Go, the Mankato Flood Wall Mural, the City Center Public Art Tour, and the Silo Art Project.