Visual Art in Gary, Indiana

Statue of Elbert H. Gary, longtime chairman of US Steel who founded the city of Gary in 1906.

# 1 on Map of Visual Art Locations in Gary, Indiana.

Courtyard of Savannah Center bounded by glass walls, the garden displays a series of Goodman's monumental bronze sculptures and will extend to the grass knoll adjacent to the north end of Hawthorn Hall.

# 6 on Map of Visual Art Locations in Gary, Indiana.

Statue honoring Tuskegee Airmen, Quentin Smith, who hails from Gary and was a member of the Chicago Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen. The statue stands at the right side of the Aquatorium, near the Tuskegee Airmen Museum.

# 5 on Map of Visual Art Locations in Gary, Indiana.

Life size bronze statue of the "grandfather of flight", by Michael Dente, Octave Chanute, who as a Chicago civil engineer and scientist tested double-wing hang gliders on the Miller dunes in 1896. The figure of Octave Chanute is pointing toward the dune where, in July of 1896, he conducted his famous experiments with gliders. These experiments had a dramatic impact on the history of aviation. The publicity generated by the experiments prompted the Wright Brothers to contact Octave Chanute. Chanute became their mentor and advisor and was the first person that the Wright Brothers contacted after their successful flight at Kitty Hawk on December 17th, 1903. His ideas and shared technical ideas with the Wright brothers helped flight become possible.

# 4 on Map of Visual Art Locations in Gary, Indiana.

The historic bronze statue, dedicated in July 1932, of Father Jacques Marquette, a 17th century French Jesuit priest who explored the Great Lakes, and was one of the earliest Christian teachers of the American Indians stands at the gateway to beautiful Marquette Park. The park encompasses a beach, playground, aquatorium, lagoon, pavilion and picnic area.

# 3 on Map of Visual Art Locations in Gary, Indiana.

# 2 on Map of Visual Art Locations in Gary, Indiana.

Erected in 1950 by the Boy Scouts of America as a "pledge to fidelity and loyalty,'' the Statue of Liberty is at the corner of Gateway Park. At the beginning of the Cold War in the early 1950s, the Boy Scouts had a campaign called "Crusade to Strengthen the Arm of Liberty.'' Boy Scout troops across the country installed hundreds of the identical 8-foot statues to advertise their patriotism to the community.
There are over 200 of these replicas in 39 states in the U.S. and several of its possessions and territories. The project was the brainchild of Kansas City businessman, J.P. Whitaker, who was then Scout Commissioner of the Kansas City Area Council. The copper statues were manufactured by Friedley-Voshardt Co. (Chicago, IL) and purchased through the Kansas City Boy Scout office by those wanting one. All were erected in the early 1950's by Boy Scout troops and others to celebrate Scouting's 40th anniversary theme, "Strengthen the Arm of Liberty." The statues stand approximately 8 1/2 feet tall without the base, constructed of sheet copper, weigh 290 pounds, and originally cost $350 plus freight.

Information obtained from the BSA Troop 101 Replica Statue of Liberty Search website.

# 9 on Map of Visual Art Locations in Gary, Indiana.

"Dune Growth", created by Richard Hunt in 1985 is located at the Gary Transportation Center. This sculpture is part of, embedded within the staircase inside the Center.

More information about Richard Hunt and his work can be found at the Richard Hunt website.

# 8 on Map of Visual Art Locations in Gary, Indiana.

"Interchange", created by Richard Hunt in 1985 is located outside of the Gary Transportation Center.

More information about Richard Hunt and his work can be found at the Richard Hunt website.

# 7 on Map of Visual Art Locations in Gary, Indiana.

Three pieces that frame the churches altar and crucifix. Sculpted by Ivan Mestrovic who is known as one of the most famous Croatian sculptors of modern times. This sculpture is located at the St. Joseph the Worker Church, 330 East 45th Avenue.