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"West Bend Resolve," a sculpture in Riverside Park, West Bend

West Bend Sculpture Walk 

July 17, 2023  |  Topics: featured artist

By Shelly Rollins

Photography by Eddee Daniel

Providing environmental education and engaging experiences are cornerstones of Schlitz Audubon’s mission.  Art is a part of nature. Wherever people look, they will find it there. Because of this intersection, we weave art into both the experiences and programming we offer. 

"Fluvio" by Paul Trappe (Australia). Made from 24,000 lbs. of limestone, which appears to levitate above the prairie plants. "Fluvio" is Italian for "of the river." It is located next to the Menomonee River in Riverfront Parkway.
“Fluvio” by Paul Trappe (Australia). Made from 24,000 lbs. of limestone, which appears to levitate above the prairie plants. “Fluvio” is Italian for “of the river.” It is located next to the Milwaukee River in Riverfront Parkway.

Visitors to the Center are invited to go to our mezzanine art gallery, where we host seasonal exhibits. The gallery showcases local artists who create art inspired by nature in a variety of mediums. Through August 27, people can view the work of Mary Mendla, whose abstract mixed media landscapes are imbued with a sublime essence of nature. A past exhibit featured Lynn Rix, who painted Plein Air on the Center’s lakeshore. 

Shelly Rollins (second from left) leading the tour on the Museum of Wisconsin Art (MOWA) Grounds. The grove of aspens is a type of landscape art.
Shelly Rollins (second from left) leading the tour on the Museum of Wisconsin Art (MOWA) Grounds. The grove of aspens is an example of landscape art.

Our ongoing art-inspired programs include photography and art clubs where participants create art on our trails. Local artist José Acevedo leads painting workshops and we’ve even offered evening painting explorations with a bird of our Raptor Program as a model! A program on the work of artist Katsushika Hokusai (The Great Wave) included a discussion of his work and hike to our Lake Michigan shore. 

"Athena" by Dean Meeker (Madison, WI). Cut and rolled bronze. MOWA.
“Athena” by Dean Meeker (Madison, WI). Cut and rolled bronze. MOWA.

Taking this theme further into the community, we offer field trips that showcase art in nature or to view art exhibits with nature themes at other venues. Our recent Sculpture Walk in West Bend is one such example. As a naturalist at the Center who studied fine art, I was happy to lead this program. 

"Emergence" by Nathan Hatch (Bailey's Harbor, WI). Eight-foot tall painted steel.
“Emergence” by Nathan Hatch (Bailey’s Harbor, WI). 8-ft tall painted steel.

Participants saw a dozen sculptures of varying sizes, made by Wisconsin artists. Many of these sculptures are large, nature-themed installations. They were positioned at select locations along a stretch of the river and beyond. The walk encompassed a pass through the Museum of Wisconsin Art grounds, part of downtown West Bend, and onward to Riverside Park.  

West Bend Riverwalk in Riverside Park.
West Bend Riverwalk in Riverside Park.

Here are a few sculpture highlights from the field trip, including some of my observations. 

“Orientation Device,” by Carl Billingsley, is perfectly placed near the former railway trestle by the river. The materials are reminiscent of the industrial past of West Bend and the railroad. The curve within the shape suggests the river. While the ends of the arch are almost symmetrical – the same length and made from the same material – one side is solid and tapers, while the other is a skeletal rectangle with supports.  

"Orientation Device" by Carl Billingsley.
“Orientation Device” by Carl Billingsley.

“The Bird of Hope and Joy,” by Sheila Berger, is interesting because of its placement and stainless-steel material. Modeled after the robin, our Wisconsin State Bird, it is a beacon. This piece warmly draws you close to it to enjoy its reflective quality. “The Bird of Hope and Joy, by Sheila Berger, is interesting because of its placement and stainless-steel material. Modeled after the robin, our Wisconsin State Bird, it is a beacon. This piece warmly draws you close to it to enjoy its reflective quality. 

"Bird of Hope and Joy" by Sheila Berger (detail).
“Bird of Hope and Joy” by Sheila Berger (detail).
“Life Imitates Art.” (Sorry! I saw the dead bird and couldn’t resist. ~ Eddee)

River Depot, by Jeremy Wolf, invites children to interact with the bronze cast animal sculptures, a wonderful way to get children excited about art. It is a playful installation that reflects much of the history of West Bend.  

"River Depot" by Jeremy Wolf. Cast bronze animals and railroad cars.
“River Depot” by Jeremy Wolf. Cast bronze animals and railroad cars.
"River Depot" (detail of otter) by Jeremy Wolf. Cast bronze.
“River Depot” (detail of otter) by Jeremy Wolf. Cast bronze.

Additional Sculptures

"Column" by P.M. Goulding (Wisconsin). Meant to evoke a stack of millstones in reference to gristmills used to turn grain into flour.
“Column” by P.M. Goulding (Wisconsin). Meant to evoke a stack of millstones in reference to gristmills used to turn grain into flour.
"The Legend of the White Snake" (detail) by Jason Yi. PVC pipes. A site-specific installation that creates a dialogue with the architecture of the Museum of Wisconsin Art (background).
“The Legend of the White Snake” (detail) by Jason Yi. PVC pipes. A site-specific installation that creates a dialogue with the architecture of the Museum of Wisconsin Art (background).
"Interim IX" (detail) by Bruce Niemi (Kenosha, WI). Stainless steel. Inspired by the artist's faith in God, the power and beauty of nature, and meant to represent the energy and balance of dance.
“Interim IX” (detail) by Bruce Niemi (Kenosha, WI). Stainless steel. Inspired by the artist’s faith in God, the power and beauty of nature, and meant to represent the energy and balance of dance.
"Paradisidae" by Narendra Patel. Painted steel. This 17-ft. tall sculpture seems to soar like a large prehistoric bird lifting itself to flight.
“Paradisidae” by Narendra Patel. Painted steel. This 17-ft. tall sculpture seems to soar like a large prehistoric bird lifting itself to flight. Located in Riverside Park.
“Twisted Column” (detail) by Dean Meeker (Madison, WI). Stainless steel.
"West Bend Resolve" (detail, see also featured photo at top) by O.V. Shaffer (Beloit, WI). Mixed media. This sculpture imitates the westerly bend in the Milwaukee River that give the city its name. Perched in the center is a gold-plated, cast-bronze eagle.
“West Bend Resolve” (detail, see also featured photo at top) by O.V. Shaffer (Beloit, WI). Mixed media. This sculpture imitates the westerly bend in the Milwaukee River that give the city its name. The centerpiece is a gold-plated, cast-bronze eagle.

Photographer’s note: While I took most of the photos during the Schlitz Audubon sculpture tour, some were taken along the same basic route but at different times and locations. Most of the captioning information comes from a brochure created by West Bend Friends of Sculpture, which is available at MOWA.

Related stories:

A guided—and illustrated—tour of Lake Park

Touring Sauk Prairie State Recreation Area

Xtreme Raptor Day 2021 at Schlitz Audubon Nature Center

Touring Schlitz Audubon Nature Center with the Sierra Club

Visit the Schlitz Audubon website calendar for future art programming at schlitzaudubon.org. 

Shelly Rollins is Summer Camp Director and a tour guide at Schlitz Audubon Nature Center. Eddee Daniel is a board member of Preserve Our Parks and a member of Schlitz Audubon Nature Center. Schlitz Audubon Nature Center is also a project partner of A Wealth of Nature.