Public Art - Sculptures

Public Art - Sculpture Program

With funding from a voter approved Transient Guest Tax, the City of Liberty and the Liberty Arts Commission have developed an annual sculpture program that includes six original, three-dimensional works of art now on display through July 2019 around Liberty’s historic downtown.

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5
  6. 6

Guided Sculpture Tour

Got a smartphone? Download the Otocast app, which will guide you on a walk that includes narrations from each artist describing their work. Printed maps of the walking tour are available at City of Liberty City Hall (101 E. Kansas St) and at the Historic Downtown Liberty, Inc. Visitors Center (117b N. Water St.). You can also view the print-friendly version of the map online here »

Through the app you can also vote for your favorite sculpture. The Liberty Arts Commission-Liberty, MO will include the votes on Otocast in their consideration to purchase one of these sculpture for permanent display in Liberty.

The Liberty Arts Commission has purchased Plumb Twisted by Jacob Burmood from the 2017 Revolving Sculpture Program to add to the City's public art collection. Stay tuned for its new, permanent location! 

China Slaughter Reading Park Sculpture

Dedicated on April 26, 2018, the bronze sculpture of Lawrence "China" Slaughter and two children sits across from Franklin Elementary School, where he served as a beloved crossing guard for many years. Slaughter served Liberty Public Schools for 47 years, as a custodian of Garrison School, crossing guard and finally as supervisor of custodians for the entire school district. 

Slaughter grew up in Liberty and returned after graduating from college in Indiana. He held a teaching degree and certificate in Missouri and taught for the state of Missouri.

The Liberty Arts Foundation raised $62,000 to commission this statue of Slaughter. 

Location: Corner of Mill and Gallatin streets

China Slaughter for web

The Great Americans Project

Former Liberty Mayor Greg Canuteson initiated The Great Americans Project to celebrate and honor men and women in American history. Through private fundraising, the project has brought two life-sized bronze statues to historic downtown since 2013. The Great Americans Project Board of Directors plans to continue introducing more sculptures in the coming years. 

Statue of George Washington

The first Great Americans Project statue was unveiled in June 2013 at a park on the corner of Lightburne and Mill streets. The life-size bronze sculpture of George Washington stands proudly atop a pedestal, pointing the way to William Jewell College.

Location: Corner of Mill and Lightburne Streets

Statue of Mark Twain

In June 2016, the second Great American statue, a life-size bronze sculpture of Mark Twain.

Location: Corner of Kansas and Missouri streets

Photo Gallery» 

George Washington sculpture horiz for web 2015.jpg
Twain eyes

Wind Sculptures

The Liberty Arts Commission installed three kinetic sculptures in 2013. The sculptures were created by internationally known artist Lyman Whitaker, whose work is also found in California, Florida and abroad. The organic forms of each unique piece are sculpted in metal that is designed to patina over time and move gently in the wind.

Funding for the project was raised through donations from individuals, local businesses, and the developers of the Liberty Triangle shopping center with the assistance of the Liberty Arts Foundation.

Location: In the centers of the two roundabouts on College Street between Conistor Street and Blue Jay Drive.

WIndSculpturesLibertyTriangle.jpg

Bottle Tree

Created by Liberty resident Robert Evans, the 800-pound steel sculpture was unveiled in 2013. With links to Africa and carried to the Americas through the slave trade, bottle trees are believed to trap evil spirits after dusk and vaporize them in the heat of the morning sun. 

Location: 502 N. Water Street

The Giant Pencil

A 100-foot, yellow No. 2 pencil can also be found in Liberty's skyscape. First and foremast a telecommunications tower, the giant pencil brightens Liberty's sklyine.

Bottle Tree sm