Welcome to Big Rapids, Michigan!

As you explore our city and parks, you will find large-scale sculptures made of stone and metal, brightly painted murals, and a colorful ceramic mosaic among other works. We are proud of the art that makes our city distinctive.

This guidebook explores the large-scale works of public art that have been selected for inclusion in The Public Art Collective, although there are many more pieces placed throughout our community. Over the past four decades, several organizations and artists have contributed to the beautification of the city through public art. These works of art include a range of mediums and formats, including sculptures, paintings, mosaics, and mixed media works. Maps in this guidebook (pp. XI, XV) locate each of these works of art across the streets of historic downtown, in local parks, and on Ferris State University’s campus so that you can find and experience them for  yourself.

The sculptures, paintings, and mosaic in this guidebook are all works of public art. They belong to the public trust, and they are for everyone to enjoy. In some cases, donors gifted works of art to our community. In other instances, groups such as the Big Rapids Festival of the Arts or the Ferris Renaissance Committee commissioned artists to create art  with the intention of enhancing our local environment. Many of the works of art in Big Rapids are site-specific, meaning artists designed them for the specific places where they are installed. You will find that most of the works are located outdoors, but a few are in public buildings that can be visited during business hours.

This guidebook is the first publication of The Public Art Collective, a collaboration among community members, the City of Big Rapids, and Ferris State University that celebrates the creative energy and artistic heritage of our town. In writing this guidebook, the authors embrace the idea of placemaking so that we may create a greater sense of community around the art in Big Rapids. Placemaking recognizes that each resident and visitor brings something unique and different to Big Rapids and its public spaces, and we honor the diversity that makes our city great.

Enjoy experiencing the art that shapes the Big Rapids community! As you see and experience each work of art, we invite you to discuss, debate, and share your thoughts and interpretations with family members, friends, colleagues, and others. Whether you’re visiting Big Rapids for the first time, or you are a longtime resident, we hope this book helps you to see how the art that surrounds us forms part of our shared experience, embodies the power to change how we see the world, and reveals the importance of community.

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