Sculptor Gary Slater created “Leaves” in 1973. The trio of rusty Corten steel pieces stand in front of Eddy Hall on the Minneapolis campus of the University of Minnesota (not Elliott Hall as the U of M art map shows).

Sculptor Daniel Chester French created this 7-foot tall bronze sculpture of John Pillsbury in 1900. Pillsbury served as the governor of Minnesota from 1876-1882. He also served as a regent for the University of Minnesota and helped the school get out of debt in the early years. He became known as the “Father of the University.” Pillsbury Hall is named in his honor. The inscription on the base reads:

John Sargent Pillsbury
Regent 1863-1901
A wise counselor
A generous benefactor
Untiring in his devotion
To the welfare and advancement
Of the University
Erected in 1900
By the Alumni

Daniel Chester French is best known for his sculpture of Abraham Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial. French also created the Quadriga at the Minnesota State Capitol.

This mural is on the side of the YWCA of St. Paul in the Cathedral Hill neighborhood. The artist is unknown.

Japanese artist Atsuo Okamoto finished his 2006 Minnesota Rocks!: International Stonecarver’s Symposium work “Distant Memory” early, so he created this stray cat. The stray cat wanders near a path in Boyd Park in St. Paul.

Okamoto said this about the cat on his web site:

“I like the feeling of stray cat and I have thought that ‘I would rather be a stray cat than a lion in a zoo.’”

Japanese artist Atsuo Okamoto created “Distant Memory” in 2006 as part of the Minnesota Rocks!: International Stonecarver’s Symposium. The work features two large stones side by side, with the shape of the taller, black stone carved into the lower limestone piece. Okamoto then filled in the hole with paving stones from St. Paul.

Okamoto describes the work on his web site.

On the far side of the lake at the Minnesota Zoo is the sculpture “Three Blue Herons” by Phillip Glashoff. The sculpture was donated in 1994 by Peggy and George Dixon.

Of course I don’t have a good photo of the sculpture since it’s literally on the opposite side of the lake. But that kind of adds to the appeal: You see the sculpture across the lake but it’s not immediately recognizable as a sculpture. There’s a moment of ‘what is that?’ wonder.

In the fall of 2008 John Grider (aka Broken Crow) and Mike Fitzsimmons (aka Paint Goggles) painted this expansive mural on the south side of Nicademus Art & Framing on Snelling Avenue in St. Paul.

It’s reminiscent of some of their other stencil work, especially recent work in Duluth and Brooklyn, as well as the Stella Salon Mural in Minneapolis

The entrance to the Russia’s Grizzly Coast exhibit at the Minnesota Zoo features a water fountain splash pad with goldish-bronze sculptures by Heath Satow. The splash pad includes bear, takins, raccoons and a leopard and a chance for kids and adults to get wet and enjoy art.

The sculptures are similar to other nearby sculptures of a tiger, moose and caribou, also by Satow.

Sculptor Heath Satow created these gold-colored animal sculptures at the plaza of the Minnesota Zoo. They include a tiger, caribou and a moose. A sign near the caribou includes the name Karel M. Weigel, but it’s indicating that she donated the artwork, not that she created it.

Artist Robert Johnson created “Eagle” in 1958 for the top of the First Minnesota Savings Bank in St. Paul. In 1987 the eagle was moved to the campus of Northwestern College in Roseville.

A plaque in front of the sculpture reads:

The Golden Eagle

The Eagle was a generous gift from the First Minnesota Savings Bank. For 29 years it stood as a proud symbol atop its headquarters in St. Paul.

The sculpture is 18 feet high, 11 feet long, has a 23-foot wingspan, weighs 1100 pounds and is layered in gold.

Our former Public Relations Director, Peter Buckles, was instrumental in obtaining the Eagle for our campus. Peter is now at home with the Lord.

The Northwestern College Board of Trustees extends sincere appreciation to First Minnesota for the Golden Eagle and dedicates it to all Northwestern students this 21st day of May, 1987.

“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They wil soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)

Another plaque on the sculpture reads:

The eagle represents strength, grace and keenness of vision as it soars at great heights. In this spirit, with great appreciation the Golden Eagle is located on the Northwestern campus in loving memory of Peter Buckles, a 1980 Northwestern Business Administration graduate. He served Northwestern in Public Relations and Development for fourteen years. Peter went home to be with the Lord on October 6, 1994.

You have let me experience the joy of life and the exquisite pleasure of your own eternal presence. Psalm 16:11 (TLB)