By BOB SHRALUKA
WZBD.com
The busiest day of the year in downtown Decatur comes up this Saturday with the 2025 Sculpture Tour followed by the Connor Brite’s Wildflowers Benefit Concert.
Day-long activities associated with the Sculpture will continue until around 6 p.m., when the benefit concert is scheduled to begin. The concert will be held on the Madison St. Plaza while the sculpture activities will be concentrated in the area of the plaza and the courthouse.
Saturday will mark the 14th year of the Decatur Sculpture Tour, which encompasses a 10-month outdoor/indoor exhibition.
This year’s event will feature 19 new works from 17 artists.
The artists come from a number of states, such as: Colorado, Mississippi, Tennessee, Michigan, Minnesota, Illinois and Missouri – and, of course, Indiana, represented by Decatur brothers Gregory (one of the event’s original organizers) and Alex Mendez.
Announcement of this year’s awards will be held at 2:50 p.m., followed by the unveiling of the sculptures and the start of the tour at 3.
The day will begin with the annual Plein Air Paint Out contest at 8 a.m. with participating contestants painting up to two canvases in the downtown area to be judged and sold that day.
A free children’s sculpture creation activity and exhibit will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., sponsored by the Adams Public Library System. Children ages 5 through 12 are invited to create their own sculpture. All materials will be provided.
A children’s chalk walk is set for 2-4 p.m. at the Old 27 Ice Cream Shop as young artists are invited to share their talents with tour-goers.
Razz M’ Jazz Dance Studio will perform starting at 2:15.
As part of the Hoosier Pattern Pour, trained staff will pour hot iron into molds at dusk on Friday. The castings will be displayed on the east side of the courthouse.
Awards to be given for 2025 are as follows: Best of Show, $500, selected by DST appointed judges; People’s Choice, $500; DST Committee Award, $200; Inspiration Award, $200; Mayor’s Award, $200.
The sculptures are owned by the artists and loaned to the program for up to one year. With pre-approval of the artist, all sculptures will be for sale to the public and featured in the Decatur Sculpture Tour brochure.
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