31st Annual Lawrence Outdoor Downtown Sculpture Exhibition

Kevin PowellArts & Culture, City

Annually since 1988, the Outdoor Downtown Sculpture Exhibition (ODSE) has showcased the talents of local, regional and national artists on the streets of downtown Lawrence and beyond.  Through the vision of James Patti, who was the director of the Kansas Sculptors Association in the 1980s, the ODSE continues to add visual vibrancy each year and provides professional development experience for many talented artists.

This year marks the 31st anniversary of the exhibition. Dr. Rebecca Hackemann, associate professor of photography at Kansas State University, served as this year’s juror. Dr. Hackemann reviewed a variety of works before selecting the final nine pieces that ultimately comprise this year’s exhibition.

Similar to years past, this year’s collection of works will be included in the online smartphone application Otocast, which showcases public art from more than 80 locales in the United States.

The walking tour with the juror and some of the artists will begin near 812 Massachusetts Street, the site of the new Visitor’s Center, at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, June 28 . The tour is open to the public. People can also take self-guided tours during the year-long exhibition by using the 2019 ODSE Guide and Map, which will also be available in print at City Hall, the Lawrence Library and the Lawrence Arts Center.

Here are the 31st Annual ODSE artists with the titles and locations of their artworks:

  • Jacob Burmood, Draped Form – 7th & Massachusetts, southwest corner
  • Joelle Ford, Red – Theater Lawrence
  • John Hachmeister, Morning: Steam Meets Wind – 6th & Massachusetts, southeast corner
  • Joe Malesky, Angelica 2 – 8th & Massachusetts, mid-block on west side
  • Elaina Michalski, Pearl – Lawrence Public Library – Artist’s Statement on homeless youth (PDF)
  • Kenneth Peters, Birdhouse #8 – 8th & Massachusetts, northeast corner
  • John Rasmussen, Sunflower – Carnegie Building, south side
  • Myles Schachter, American – 8th & Massachusetts, southwest corner (shown)
  • Will Vannerson, Ecstatic Crepitacean – 11th & New Hampshire

More information and a link to this year’s brochure can be found online: www.lawrenceks.org/ODSE

Contact: Porter Arneill, 785-832-3402, parneill@lawrenceks.org