Muskegon is famous for its beautiful beaches, miles of multi-use trails, three state parks, six county parks, and nearly 50 city and public parks and gardens. But lesser known, is Muskegon's passion for art. This beachtown is also blessed with the historic and renowned Muskegon Museum of Art, award winning Lakeshore Art Festival and an assortment of galleries and studios.
But for those who like to take in art while they take a walk, the county is also filled with amazing architectural styles, public accessible art and sculptures, historic statues and a multitude of murals.
Since the dedication of Hackley Park, outdoor ornamentation, public art and statuary have been important in the community. The number of public accessible sites just keeps growing in number and reputation.
In the last few years, outdoor art has received a boost from the Muskegon City Public Art Initiative (MCPAI). Originating with a private donor and working with the Community Foundation for Muskegon County and Downtown Art Committee, ten new works of permanent and public art will grace the City of Muskegon. Each begin with a seed of $25,000 with remaining funds raised through philanthropic donations.
Follow Muskegon's history, growth and love of art by visiting these outdoor art installations:
Alcoa Celebration Square Entrance Artist: Versatile Fabrication Location: Alcoa Celebration Square
All My Relations Artist: Jason Quigno Location: Visitors Center, 610 W Western Ave
Amaranth Artist: Cyril Lixenberg Location: Muskegon Innovation Hub
Arch, 1973 (Locally Referred to as “The Noodle”) Artist: Steven Urry Location: Muskegon Visitors Center, 610 W Western Ave
Ascension "Sculpture with Stars" Artist: James Clover & Anne G. Miller Location: Federal Square, Muskegon Post Office
Aurora Artist: Russell K. Jacques Location: Webster Ave. in front of Muskegon Museum of Art
Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy Artist: Ari Norris Location: USS LST 393 Veterans Museum
Buster Keaton Artist: Emmanuel Snitkovsky Location: Western Ave, Frauenthal Center
Butterfly Artist: Josh Wambaugh Location: White Lake Art Walk, Near Main St
Charles Hackley Sculpture Artist: Bill Duffy Location: Corner of 3rd and Clay Ave, in front of CIM
City Built on Timber Artist: Erik and Israel Nordin Location: Heritage Landing Entrance “Ascension” by James Clover
Community Artist: Matt Amante Location: Muskegon Museum of Art
Community Table Artist: Tim Stimers, in memory Rosemary Beckman Lambert Location: Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce
David Farragut Artist: Charles Niehaus Location: Hackley Park
Due Ciga Artist: Michael Westra Location: White Lake Art Walk
Eagle Returning to Nest Artist: Terry Moore and Calvin Brush Location: White Lake Art Walk, Near White Lake Community Library
Fish in Line Artist: Al Weston and Andy Jagniecki Location: White Lake Art Walk, Near White Lake Chamber of Commerce
Flow Artist: Robert L. Barnum Location: 8701 Ferry St, Montague
Flowers Heaven Scent Artist: Stan Policka Location: White Lake Art Walk, Near Alcoa Howmet
General Ulysses S. Grant Artist: J. Massey Rhind Location: Hackley Park
Gift of Art Artist: Sherri Balaskovitz Location: Entrance of Frauenthal Center
Humpty Dumpty Artist: Stuart Padnos Location: Alcoa Celebration Square
Ivory Tower Artist: Lee Collet Location: Herman Ivory Terminal - MATS Bus Station
Kearny Park Fountain (No Artist Information) Location: Kearny Park, Corner of Peck St and Terrace St
Lake Spirits Artist: David G. Anderson Location: White Lake Art Walk, Slocum St and Mears Ave
Live Simple, Love Like Crazy Artist: Chip VanderWier Location: Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce
Moxie the Mastodon Artist: Gillie and Marc Location: Lakeshore Museum Center
Michigan Sunset Artist: Kim Tjapkes Location: Muskegon Lakeshore Chamber of Commerce Lobby
Muskegon Together Rising Artist: Richard Hunt Location: Traffic Circle at Western Ave and Third St.
Pasta Artist: Kenneth Foster Location: Muskegon Museum of Art
Philip Kearny Jr. Statue Artist: Henry Kirke Brown Location: Kearny Park, Corner of Peck St and Terrace St
President Abraham Lincoln Artist: Charles H. Niehaus Location: Hackley Park
President William McKinley Statue Artist: Charles Niehaus Location: Board of Administration Building
The Prize Steelhead Artist: Sherri Balaskovitz Location: Corner of Third and Western Ave in Downtown Muskegon
Rocker Artist: David Deming Location: Muskegon Museum of Art
Sailboat Trees Artist: George Ramsay Location: White Lake Art Walk, Near White Lake Chamber of Commerce
Sails Ablaze Artist: Steve Anderson Location: Roundabout at Terrace Point
Serene Trees Artist: Sharon Smithem and Wesley Brown Location: White Lake Art Walk
Soldiers and Sailors Monument Artist: Joseph Carabelli Location: Hackley Park
St. Paul, Bronze, 1981 Artist: Richard Kislov, MD Location: St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Swimming Upstream Artist: Robert L Barnum Location: White Lake Art Walk
Szilassi Plyhedron Artist: Tim Carr of Black Bear Forge Location: White Lake Art Walk, Near Alcoa Howmet
Torn Disk Artist: Cyril Lixenberg Location: Now located at Western Market
Torn Square Artist: Cyril Lixenberg Location: Now located at Western Market
Turning Point Artist: Jason Dreweck & Teresa Hansen Location: In front of Dr Rolf's BBQ
Tower at 4 am Artist: Lee Collet Location: Western Ave, between Terrace and Jefferson
Wildflower Artist: Stan Policka Location: White Lake Art Walk, Misco Dr and Mears Ave
William Tecumseh Sherman Artist: Massey Rhind Location: Hackley Park
Windwave Artist: Cara O’Brien Location: White Lake Art Walk, Near White Lake Community Library
Download the Lakeshore Art Festival "An Artful Walk" Map
Download the Nuveen Center Arts Council of White Lake "Art Walk" Map