672 - Loon Park
This photo shows the Loon sculpture by artist Cynthia Wildes in Loon Park, downtown Grand Forks, ND. The polished metallic artwork, inspired by the shape of a loon, rises elegantly among greenery with a modern, reflective surface that contrasts with the natural surroundings.
Welcome to the Grand Forks Talking Trail. Listen as artist Cynthia Wildes shares her story and the story behind the beautiful sculpture before you…
Hello and welcome. I am grateful that you could make it to this beautiful park and to check out my sculpture dance of the Loon. My inspiration comes from many many many years ago in 1999. I was in a really dark place, and I ended up in treatment for drugs and alcohol. Today I’m 23 years clean and sober. But back then it wasn’t so easy to talk about, still isn’t so easy to talk about, but back then it was scary. So I was told about this sculpture walk to enter an idea or an image of a sculpture that I may have done, and so I decided OK I’m gonna enter ,and I was horrified. I was absolutely horrified. So I entered it. I thought what the heck. And one thing led to another and the second day of my stay in treatment, I received a letter of acceptance for my sculpture, Dance of the Loon. Dance of the loon represents many things. First I live in Minnesota, and the loon is actually our state bird, but it turns out Grand Forks also loves the loon, and the loons, they mate for life. That’s part of who I am. I’m like a loon.
So I thank you and I am grateful that you stopped by.
Grand Forks purchased my loon in 2021. Thank you for stopping by and I hope you enjoy checking it out and enjoy the rest of your journey through the art walk thanks so much. God bless.