River City Sculptures on Parade display installation wrapping up today
MASON CITY — Installation of the new River City Sculptures on parade display wrapped up today. Artists have been in town since the start of the week to see their works of art being placed on pedestals on the 1.7 mile route that winds through downtown Mason City.
Aidan Demarais of Janesville Minnesota and Tim James of Good Thunder Minnesota have had a handful of sculptures on the route through the last five years, including the newly-installed “Black Hills Iron” that has been placed on 1st Street Northeast between North Delaware Avenue and North Commercial Alley.
James says artists enjoy coming to Mason City. “Hanging out with these people that we don’t get to see much and good friends and hard workers to come give us a chance to display our art is just top notch, we really like coming here.”
Demarais says it’s a great opportunity to show their pieces of artwork. “Public art is its own animal and everybody finds something that they like about it. There’s a bull, there’s a face, who knows what we made, but everybody has a chance to find something that they like and I’m just happy to be a part of it.”
James says it gives artists a chance to make a living through their artwork. “In the past, it was so hard, but now they can travel around with sculptures and get their stipends, and occasionally sell one. This really gives artists a chance to thrive.”
Around 80 sculptures are a part of the display.
Founded in 2012, the River City Sculptures on Parade is a partner with other sculpture programs in Sioux Falls South Dakota, Mankato Minnesota, Eau Claire Wisconsin and Castlegar British Columbia.
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