Midsummer Carnival Shaft (Clas) facts for kids
The Midsummer Carnival Shaft is a tall, impressive public sculpture found in downtown Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. It was created by an American artist named Alfred C. Clas. You can find this artwork on Wisconsin Avenue, right in the middle of the city.
What is the Midsummer Carnival Shaft?
The Midsummer Carnival Shaft is a large, upright stone pillar. It was specially ordered by the City of Milwaukee. They chose Alfred C. Clas to design and build this unique artwork.
This sculpture is made from a type of stone called Bedford limestone. It stands about 65 feet (20 m) tall. That's almost as tall as some of the buildings around it! The shaft is placed in the middle of Wisconsin Avenue. It's designed to catch your eye quickly as you pass by. It's not meant for you to stand and look at for a long time.
Who was Alfred C. Clas?
Alfred C. Clas was the talented artist who created the Midsummer Carnival Shaft. He was born in Sauk City, Wisconsin, in 1860. Clas was a well-known architect and city planner in Milwaukee. This made him a great choice to create a public sculpture for the city.
Clas was also a partner in a local architecture company called Ferry&Clas. He and his partner helped plan and develop many parts of Milwaukee. Clas was also a member of the City Park Board. He designed important public buildings like the Milwaukee Auditorium.
The City of Milwaukee was very thankful for all of Clas's work. They even named a park after him! Alfred C. Clas Park is located in Milwaukee County. You can find it near N. 9th St and Wells St.