Iowa’s scenic byways offer beautiful vistas, authentic eats, historic sites, rich culture and now sixteen new public art installations in fifteen small towns.
Each community chose a theme for its art project, then sought artists with local ties to help make the visions three-dimensional—many of which are hands-on and interactive. In Belle Plaine, make music in the sound park. In Guttenberg, find the hidden main street map on the giant metal walleye. Grab lunch to go and picnic in the shade of Maquoketa’s wooden gables.
Each work of art makes a great addition to your weekend itinerary for exploring the back roads and historic downtowns of Iowa.
Made possible by the Byways of Iowa Public Art Initiative and more than 100 project partners, these art installations are ready for their close-ups (and your selfies)!
Anamosa
Geared Up
Located at the corner of South Elm and East Main Street
Peer through this steel sculpture of a Grant Wood-style window, in which images of the river and landscape are inset with motorcycle parts from the National Motorcycle Museum.
Artist: Cara Briggs Farmer
Byway: Grant Wood Scenic Byway
Belle Plaine
Larry Schlue Memorial Sound Park
711 12th Street
Transportation is part of Belle Plaine’s history and identity. More than 70 trains pass through the downtown each day. In designing the sound park, the Belle Plaine born-and-raised artist was inspired by the trains he heard as a child. Make your own sound waves using the park’s interactive instruments, and experience how train whistles and rumbles reverberate in the space.
Did you know: If you speak softly into one of the whisper dishes, your friend standing next to the other one can hear what you say!
Artist: John Schlue
Byway: Iowa Valley Scenic Byway
Bellevue
Living, Flowing Water, Ever-Changing
500 Block of South Riverview Drive
Overlooking the Mississippi River, this pair of sculptures represents historic steamboat smokestacks. Colorful, kinetic fish “swim around” the smokestacks in the wind.
Artist: Ronald K. Hansen
Byway: Great River Road and Grant Wood Scenic Byway
Delhi
Jump In
Corner of Franklin and 3rd Street, Delhi City Park
A steel archway created by late artist and resident Mike Seibert highlights the area’s family-friendly fishing, water skiing and lakeside activities.
Artist: Mike Seibert
Byway: Delaware Crossing Scenic Byway
Dubuque
Honey
1685 Central Avenue
Just outside Dubuque’s first firehouse, this sculpture pays homage to the past and future of the neighborhood.
Artist: Abigail Hedley
Byway: Great River Road
Eldorado
Goeken Park Overlook
29191 Lincoln Road, West Union
In Goeken Park, which overlooks the community of Eldorado, this artistic steel fence illustrates the Turkey River Valley’s history, culture and ecological diversity.
Artist: Dennis McElree
Byway: River Bluffs Scenic Byway
Elkader
Three Bells
211 South Main Street
Ring this interactive sound sculpture in Founders’ Park to echo the bells of the Clayton County Courthouse and St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.
Artist: Cara Briggs Farmer
Byway: River Bluffs Scenic Byway
Guthrie Center
Listen to the Wind
307 State Street
This sculpture moves with the wind in the spirit of the Native American proverb incorporated into its design: “Listen to the wind, it talks. Listen to the silence, it speaks. Listen to your heart, it knows.”
Artist: Hilde DeBruyne
Byway: Western Skies Scenic Byway
Guttenberg
The Deepest Pattern
500 Block of South River Park Drive
This historic river town’s walleye sculpture is just a short walk from the DNR Aquarium, Lockmaster’s Heritage House Museum and Lock and Dam #10. Feeling outdoorsy? Catch a walleye of your own—the area offers prime fishing spots.
(Did you know: Those aren’t fish scales—they’re streets and city blocks! Hidden on the sculpture is a map of the downtown. Can you find it?)
Artist: Victoria Reed
Byway: River Bluffs Scenic Byway
Keosauqua
Van Buren County Family Farm Art Tribute
20439 Highway 1
A large, barn-shaped sculpture celebrates the rich agricultural heritage of Van Buren County and expresses gratitude to area farmers for their longstanding efforts.
Artists: Van Buren County Artist Collaboration
Byway: Historic Hills Scenic Byway
Manchester
Three Elements
314 West Main Street
Three steel sculptures portray sun, water, and agriculture—three elements critical to Manchester’s development and success.
Artist: Cara Briggs Farmer
Byway: Delaware Crossing Scenic Byway
Manchester Whitewater Park Mural
302 South 2nd Street
This colorful, large-scale mural makes a splash by showing recreationists enjoying the Maquoketa River.
Artist: Dan Hatala
Byway: Delaware Crossing Scenic Byway
Maquoketa
Gables
129-141 South Main Street
In the heart of Maquoketa’s downtown greenspace, this wooden structure provides outdoor seating and represents all residents of the “Timber City” living under the same roof of community.
Artist: Daniel Caven
Byway: Grant Wood Scenic Byway
Postville
Hometown to the World
101 East Greene Street
Give the giant mosaic globe a spin, then look through each of the three surrounding teleidoscopes to create your own kaleidoscope experience. Follow the vibrant ocean currents to find the color-changing glass animals on their home continents, monuments like the Statue of Liberty and pyramids of Egypt, and the tiny heart in grassy green Iowa glass. This installation was inspired by the diversity of the Postville community.
Did you know: A teleidoscope is a type of kaleidoscope, with a lens and an open view. It creates kaleidoscopic patterns from objects outside of the instrument instead of inside.
Artists: Steve & Peggy Kittelson
Byway: Driftless Area Scenic Byway
Waukon
Crossroads
Corner of Main Street and Spring Avenue, Waukon Plaza
Inspired by colors represented in Native American culture and Waukon’s offset intersection, this steel and painted plexiglass sculpture plays on colors and shapes.
Artist: Cara Briggs Farmer
Byway: Driftless Area Scenic Byway
Winterset
George Stout Memorial
111 West Washington Street
This large book sculpture tells the story of George Stout, a Madison County resident made famous by George Clooney’s film “Monument Men.”
Artist: Michael Goodall
Byway: Covered Bridges Scenic Byway
Bonus Stop
Eagle’s Nest
Walking trail between Elgin and Clermont; 23493 Canoe Road
The installation that inspired it all! Located along the Turkey River Recreational Corridor Trail at Elgin, this was the inspiration for the statewide public art effort.
Byway: River Bluffs Scenic Byway
Learn more and plan your art-inspired day trips at bywaysofiowa.org/art.
