List of public art in Bloomington, Indiana facts for kids

Bloomington, Indiana, is a city full of cool outdoor art! This page will tell you all about the public art you can find there. Public art means artworks that are outside and free for everyone to see. Most of the pieces we'll talk about are sculptures. A sculpture is a 3D artwork, like a statue. Let's explore some of these amazing creations!

Discovering Public Art in Bloomington

Public art makes our cities more beautiful and interesting. It can be found in parks, on sidewalks, or near important buildings. These artworks often tell stories, celebrate history, or simply add a splash of creativity to our daily lives. In Bloomington, you'll find many sculptures made from different materials like limestone, steel, and bronze.

Famous Sculptures You Can See

Bloomington is home to many unique sculptures. Here are some you might enjoy discovering:

Alexander Memorial: A Tribute to History

The Alexander Memorial, also known as the Grand Army of the Republic Monument, stands tall at the Monroe County Courthouse. Created by Joseph Graf and Albert McIlveen in 1928, this impressive sculpture is made of limestone. It's about 35 feet tall, which is like a three-story building! It honors a group called the Grand Army of the Republic, which was an organization for Union veterans of the American Civil War.

Axis: A Modern Limestone Creation

In Miller-Showers Park, you can find a sculpture called Axis. It was made by Dale Enochs in 1985. This large limestone sculpture is about 25 feet tall. It shows how artists can use natural materials like limestone to create modern and interesting shapes.

Bloomington Waters: Celebrating the City

Bloomington Waters is a sculpture created by Brad Goldberg and Diana Goldberg in 1995. You can see it at Bloomington Parks & Recreation. This limestone artwork is about 12 feet high. It celebrates the importance of water and nature in the Bloomington area.

Congregations for Peace: A Symbol of Unity

Another artwork at the Monroe County Courthouse is Congregations for Peace. This limestone sculpture was made by William T. Dahman and William Galloway between 1978 and 1979. It stands about 6 feet tall and represents people coming together for peace.

Peau Rouge Indiana: A Giant Mobile

One of the most exciting pieces of public art is Peau Rouge Indiana by the famous artist Alexander Calder. Made in 1970, this huge steel sculpture is located at the Musical Arts Center at Indiana University. It's a "mobile," which means it has parts that move in the wind. This sculpture is about 40 feet tall, making it one of the largest artworks in the city!

Showalter Fountain: The Birth of Venus

At the Indiana University Auditorium, you'll find the beautiful Showalter Fountain. The main sculpture in the fountain is called The Birth of Venus, created by Robert Laurent in 1961. It's made of bronze and shows the Roman goddess Venus rising from the sea. It's a popular spot for photos and a true campus landmark.

Art at Indiana University

Indiana University has many artworks on its campus. These pieces add to the beauty of the university and give students and visitors a chance to enjoy art every day.

Memorial Hall Sculptures

At Memorial Hall, you can see several interesting limestone sculptures. These were made in 1925 by an unknown artist. They include reliefs, which are sculptures carved into a flat surface, showing the Indiana University seal and other designs.

The Goodbody Duck

A smaller, but charming, sculpture is The Goodbody Duck by Albert McIlveen. You can find this limestone duck at Goodbody Hall at Indiana University. It's a fun, unexpected piece of art to discover!

Wright Quadrangle Reliefs

At Wright Quadrangle, you can see more limestone reliefs created by Joseph Pollia in 1949. These sculptures show different themes like Justice, Art, Sport, Drama, and Science, celebrating various aspects of learning and life.

Images for kids

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  The Alexander Memorial at the Monroe County Courthouse.

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  The "Congregations for Peace" sculpture.

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  Indiana Arc by Charles O. Perry.

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  Light of the World by Albert Molnar.

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  Peau Rouge Indiana by Alexander Calder.

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  Showalter Fountain, featuring The Birth of Venus.