Jim Zimpel is a Montana-based sculptor. After teaching for a decade at Columbia College Chicago, he joined Montana State University in 2013, where he is now Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Architecture and an Associate Professor of Sculpture and Extended Media.

Story Mill Park opens with wide fields, a community garden, and spaces for play. Half of the park transitions into a wetland preserve, alive with bird calls and winding trails. An observation shelter lets you watch cranes nesting without disturbing them. As the path bends north, the Bridger Mountains rise, and my sculpture, Flourish, comes into view. Within a short drive, the area connects to the heart of Bozeman, from the library and local shops to hiking trails like Drinking Horse Mountain.

I created Flourish entirely from steel, finished in a durable powder coat so it could live outdoors in all seasons. From a distance, some visitors say it resembles a windmill. Step closer and you’ll see it’s built around the form of a boat, actually three boats woven into one, referencing the many cultures and histories that have traveled through this valley. Surrounding the boat are forms of wheat, feathers, and paddles. The wheat speaks to Montana’s agricultural abundance, the feathers to the wildlife that thrives here, and the paddles to human journeys, whether Native American, Polynesian, or European. Together, they reflect how people and nature have always flourished in this place.

I chose the word “flourish” because it carries many meanings. It describes the richness of this land, the cranes and deer that still make their home here, and the people who continue to arrive, drawn to Bozeman for its beauty and opportunities. It also suggests movement, growth, and creativity, values that shape both the community and my own work as an artist.

So as you stand here, take a moment to look outward to the Bridgers, then back to the wetlands, and finally at the sculpture itself. Flourish is not only about the past, it’s about imagining what it means for all of us, human and wild, to thrive together in this valley.

Explore more of my sculptures and the stories behind them at jimzimpel.com.