Kenosha’s Public Art Collection

With art galleries, murals on buildings, sculptures, fountains, and other forms of public art all over Kenosha, there is no shortage of talent to enjoy.

Below is just a sampling of the public art there is to view here. It is by no means a complete list. Take a drive around the community – and see what pieces you can add to this!

Shown here: Millennium Gate

AMC Gremlin mural: In a nod to Kenosha’s auto manufacturing history, this mural is at Friendship Park, located south of House of Nutrition & Wellness (5824 6th Avenue), in Downtown Kenosha.

Artworks untitled mural: Artist April Szafranski painted a mural in 2019 on a free standing display near the rear parking lot of Artworks/The Pencillarium, 4513 Sheridan Road. This whimsical mural features cartoonish characters amid an outlandish landscape. This location in the Union Park Arts District occasionally rotates out new murals so you could see a new one depending on when you visit.

Bjorn’s Penguins mural: Artist Dean Tawwater painted this in 2016 on the west facing side of the building that houses Mike Bjorn’s Fine Clothing, 5614 6th Avenue. The mural depicts three penguins sporting red bow ties and a fourth larger bowtie that advertises the business. Shown

Greetings From Kenosha mural: Artist Kelly Witte painted this in 2018 on the west facing side of the building that houses the Kenosha Area Business Alliance and the Jockey Factory Store, 5500 6th Avenue. This colorful piece features highlights from around Kenosha including the streetcar and our iconic red lighthouse. (shown on top of page)

Kenosha County Soldier’s Monument Winged Victory: This monument in Library Park, dedicated along with the new Simmons Library in 1900, was designed by Daniel Burnham. It consists of a 60-foot monolithic granite Corinthian column capped by a Winged Victory statue, executed by Italian sculptor Decco. This is located at 711 59th Place in the Library Park Historic District. Shown

Kinoje mural: Artists Jamie Jabbari (Brown) and Karim Jabbari painted this in late 2020 on the east facing side of the building that houses Hot Mess Studios, 624 57th Street. The word “Kinoje” means “pike” in Ojibwe referring to the fish, and a reference to “Place of the Pike” which is the meaning behind Kenosha’s name.

Lincoln Statue at Carthage College: Since 1997, Abraham Lincoln has stood larger than life on the campus. Seated nearby is John Hay, distinguished alumnus and former U.S. Secretary of State. The bronze sculpture is a landmark on the campus, 2001 Alford Park Drive. The sculptor is Michael Martino. Learn More>

Lincoln Statue at Library Park: The bronze statue of Abraham Lincoln was created by well known sculptor Charles Henry Niehous of New York in 1909. The statue was a gift from local businessman Orla Calkins, an admirer of Lincoln, to commemorate the 100th anniversary year of the President’s birth. This is located at 711 59th Place in the Library Park Historic District. Shown

Millennium Gate: David Floyd’s sculpture is a permanent fixture in the Sculpture Walk along the harbor.

Sculpture Walk: Perhaps the most popular of our public art displays, the Sculpture Walk - HarborPark welcomes new tenants biannually. The installments are part of an ongoing project spearheaded by the Kenosha Community Arts Fund to bring art and enjoyment to local residents and visitors alike. You’ll find sculptures, ranging from abstract to whimsical in design, lining the promenade along the south side of the Kenosha Harbor, as well as a piece or two in the surrounding downtown area.

S.S. Kenosha: Artist Dan Blue’s sculpture can be found along the harbor – another permanent fixture in the Sculpture Walk.

Starry Night over Kenosha mural: Artist Eric Houghton painted this on the west facing wall of Deberge’s Framing and Gallery in the Uptown neighborhood, 2008 63rd Street. This work is an interpretation of Van Gogh’s famous “Starry Night”, but the cityscape has been altered to look like Kenosha including our red lighthouse. Shown

Wallace Fountain: Place de Douai, located just south of the Kenosha Public Museum on 56th Street & 2nd Avenue in HarborPark, showcases the Wallace Fountain. Popular around Paris, France, the fountain here was donated by the citizens of Douai, France, a sister city of Kenosha. The non-functioning fountain is a piece of art.

Winter Dance Party Sculpture: On January 4, 1959, the Winter Dance Party Tour performed in Kenosha at the Eagles Club (now Madrigrano’s Marina Shores). This was the second stop on the tour and featured Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, The Big Bopper, and Dion and the Belmonts. A plane crash on February 3, 1959, the 11th stop of the tour, took the lives of three of the four stars – Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and “The Big Bopper” JP Richardson. Deciding a sculpture to commemorate their Kenosha stop was long overdue, two local residents were behind an effort to have a sculpture in Kenosha. The sculpture debuted across from the former Eagles Club at Southport Marina, in June 2022. Sculptor Martin Antaramian created the piece. Learn More>

More Public Art:

Union Park Arts District is a hub for the arts, as it houses a handful of art galleries in a four-block radius. The park itself has a sculpture, several mosaic planters, a beautifully designed Little Free Library, and appropriately a Little Free Art Gallery. On select Sundays in the summer months, Union Park is also the host of the Kenosha Art Market, where artists, crafters, and creators gather to sell their works.

Among the cultural offerings at Kemper Center are the Anderson Arts Center as well as the Kady B. Faulkner Building. Anderson offers rotating art exhibitions and musical performances throughout the year, making it a destination for both visual and performing arts. The Faulkner building has a hidden, yet oversized mosaic which was created from items found on the nearby Lake Michigan beach. Shown

The iconic North Pier Lighthouse is home to the Kenosha Lighthouse Studio, where guest artists rotate residency for a unique working environment.

Beautiful fountains outside the Kenosha Public Museum, Celebration Place in HarborPark, and Veterans Memorial Park are also part of the public art scene here.

With new additions continuing to be added to the public art scene, we may never be able to count them all. It is a joy to have such unique creations brightening our community. There is sure to be a piece that you’ll enjoy, too!