WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — Wichita’s City Council has approved concept designs for public art that will be added to three major projects across the city: the Arkansas River west bank, the Redbud Trail extension, and Douglas Avenue in Delano.
On the riverfront, three artists were chosen. Scott Hocking’s “Wichita Lineman” will use steel and wood to create a sculptural screen inspired by Kansas windmills and the famous Glen Campbell song.
Ivan Depena’s “Ebb/Flow” will add shade structures shaped like river arches with built-in seating and plants. Chris Pappan’s “Arkanza Nizhuje” will incorporate digitally printed glass and lighting, reflecting his Kanza heritage and Wichita history.
For the Redbud Trail, Portland artist Ed Carpenter will design a new pedestrian bridge over Rock Road. His arching steel structure is inspired by Kansas grasses and will feature night lighting.
In Delano, Wichita artist Armando Minjarez will create an 18-foot gateway sculpture referencing Wichita Tribal head dresses and Texas Longhorns. Nearby, Boulder artists George Peters and Melanie Walker will install the “Feather Flight Series” — tall, wind-activated feather sculptures recalling the area’s aviation past.
The projects are funded through Wichita’s public art ordinance, which dedicates 2% of eligible capital project budgets to art until 2027, when it drops to 1%…