Public Art

Painting with multiple colorsLarge whimsical scupltureMetal sculptures of bulls on a hillMetal sculpture of birds in the waterSculpture of man making ice cream.Na Nex Se statueFabriz quilt with orange colorsSculpture of a person swimming in a pond.Steel sculpture of a horse and foxesAbstract sculpture of a person running.Welded steel and wood snakeSculpture of a woman washing clothes.Bronze sculpture of an eagle"Body Politic" sculptures"Splash" hanging sculpture

Abstract Spinach Garden: This fresco casein on canvas was donated by local artist Joy Baer in 2013. The piece is displayed in Thompson Barn.

Amusing Breeze: This piece features a colorful, abstract bicycle atop a mosaic glass ball by artist Chris Duh. It is located along 87th Street Parkway at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park.

Bull Ridge: These are the positives from Robert Morris's Bull Wall near the American Royal in Kansas City, Mo. We acquired Bull Ridge in 1999. In 2015, the art was relocated to Prairie Star Parkway.

Frenzied Flight: Located at Central Green Park, this sculpture by Lenexa artist Robin Richerson, is an abstract depiction of three birds in flight, fighting for the same fish.

Grampa: The grandfather making old-fashioned ice cream represents three men from artist Robert M. Morlan's family: his grandfather, father and himself. It is located at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park.

Na Nex Se: Dedicated in 2004 to honor Lenexa’s former mayor Joan Bowman, this bronze statue by Kwan Wu is of Lenexa’s namesake. This statue is located on Lenexa's civic campus at City Center.

Sundown: We acquired this work created by Charlotte Funk in 1987. This colorful tapestry is currently on display in the Lenexa Community Center.

Swimmer: Sculptor David Hickman's abstract female form “swims” in the pond at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park every summer, but is stored for safety during the cold seasons.

The Hunt: This life-size steel work was created by Courtney Newcomer. It is on 83rd Street west of Pflumm Road.

The Jogger: This is the unofficial mascot of runners in the Freedom Run. It is by Arli Regier and is located outside the Community Center.

The Serpent: Area kids delight in climbing on J. Derek Arnold's “The Serpent,” a welded-steel and wood creation that guards Snake Island in the pond at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park.

Wash Day: This Fred J. Darpino sculpture was created using a warm bronze patina.

Windswept: This bronze sculpture of a soaring eagle was created by artist Patti Stajcar. It is displayed outside the public entrance to the Lenexa Police Department.

Body Politic: Two stainless steel orbs celebrate a sense of community and the value of making personal connections in public spaces. Located on Lenexa's civic campus. Created by artist Joe O'Connell.

Splash: This 65-foot-long abstract sculpture of cold cast glass panels hangs in the Lenexa Rec Center lobby and captures the experience of entering water. Created by artist Shan Shan Sheng.

We have been building our public art collection since the early 1980s. It includes two- and three-dimensional pieces located throughout the city on public property and features artwork created by local, national and international artists.

List of public art in Lenexa 

This list only includes outdoor sculptures that are currently on display in the community. The City owns several other pieces that are located indoors at city buildings or are in storage.

Amusing Breeze, 14907 W. 87th St. Pkwy.
Whimsical, colorful depiction of an abstract bicycle atop a mosaic glass ball, created by Chris Duh. Displayed along 87th Street Parkway at the Greenway entrance to Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park. 

Body Politic, 17201 W. 87th St. Pkwy.
Two stainless steel orbs celebrating a sense of community and the value of making personal connections in public spaces. Created by Joe O’Connell and located between the Rec Center and parking garage at the Lenexa civic campus.

Bull Ridge, just west of Fire Station 5 at 19151 Prairie Star Parkway

Three positives from Robert Morris’ steel piece, “Bull Wall” near the American Royal in Kansas City, Mo. Lenexa acquired this art in 1999 and relocated it to its current home in 2015.

Frenzied Flight, 87th Street Parkway & Penrose Lane
Bronze abstract depiction of three birds in flight, fighting for the same fish. Created by Lenexa artist Robin Richerson, this piece is located in the cascading pools within Central Green Park.

Grampa, 14907 W. 87th St. Pkwy.

Bronze sculpture depicting a grandfather making old-fashioned ice cream. The piece represents three men from artist Robert M. Morlan’s family: his grandfather, father and himself. Displayed near the gazebo at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park.

Na Nex Se, 17101 W. 87th St. Pkwy.
Bronze piece of Lenexa’s namesake was dedicated in 2004 in honor of Lenexa’s former mayor, Joan Bowman. The piece was created by Kwan Wu. Displayed at the Lenexa civic campus between City Hall and the Johnson County Library.

Swimmer, 14907 W. 87th St. Pkwy.

Copper sculpture abstract female form swimming in the pond at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park. Created by David Hickman.

Team Illusion, 95th Street, east of Lackman Road
Six red, white and blue painted sculptures in simplified bicycle forms suspended on poles to create the illusion of a team of bicyclists riding along the trail. Created by David B. Hickman.

The Hunt, 83rd Street Trail, west of Pflumm Road
Life-sized steel art created by Courtney Newcomer, depicts a horse and hunting dogs along the 83rd Street trail.

The Jogger, 13420 Oak Street
Steel sculpture of a runner, created by Arli Regier. Displayed outside the Lenexa Community Center.

The Serpent, 14907 W. 87th St. Pkwy.
Welded steel sculpture of a serpent, located on the small island at Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park. Created by J. Derek Arnold.

Wash Day, 14907 W. 87th St. Pkwy.
Bronze sculpture with a warm bronze patina featuring a woman doing the wash. Art was created by Fred J. Darpino. Displayed near Legler Barn Museum in Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park.

Windswept, 12500 W. 87th St. Pkwy.
Bronze sculpture of a soaring eagle, created by Patti Stajcar. Displayed outside the public entrance to the Lenexa Police Department.

View and download list and locations of public art sculptures (PDF)


About "Body Politic"

Watch an interview with "Body Politic" artist Joe O'Connell from Creative Machines. He explains the meaning behind the figures cut out of two interactive stainless steel orbs that grace Lenexa's civic campus.

About "Splash"

Watch an interview with artist Shan Shan Sheng, who describes how the "Splash" sculpture was created to activate the entrance of the Lenexa Rec Center.

 


Contact Information

Susanne Neely, 913.477.7131, [email protected]