It’s springtime, and downtown Norfolk is coming alive. The Farmer’s Market has started up again, kayaks are hitting the river and new sculptures are being installed.
The Norfolk Area Sculpture Walk is a year-long exhibit of outdoor sculptures in downtown Norfolk and Madison. Our walk is a part of SWAN (Sculpture Walk Across Nebraska), a cooperative effort between communities with walkable districts to provide a revolving art experience. Participating SWAN communities include Norfolk, Valentine, Ogallala, North Platte and Grand Island.
Each spring, the sculptures displayed for the past year are removed, some of which may travel on to other SWAN communities.
New sculptures are placed as they arrive from the artists. The effort is spearheaded by Traci Jeffrey, executive director of the Norfolk Area Visitors Bureau.
The impetus behind the sculpture walk is to inspire, enhance our outdoor spaces, provide entertainment and promote tourism.
The Norfolk Area Sculpture Walk includes a mix of 21 sculptures. Eighteen of these are placed in Norfolk, and three are in Madison. In addition to the rotating exhibit, Norfolk has six permanent statues.
This year’s sculptures were created by artists from 12 states, and for the first time, Canada.
“One of the most exciting things this year is the addition of several new artists who haven’t participated in our walk before,” said Jeffrey.
“It’s always inspiring to see fresh perspectives and styles added to the mix. And having an artist join us all the way from Canada is a big milestone — it speaks to how much this program is growing in reach and recognition.”
Once all 21 pieces are received and installed, visitors may pick up a brochure with a map or download the information at visitnorfolkne.com.
