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Sculptures on the Square

Sculptures on the Square in Troy Kicks Off June 16th

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Troy Main Street’s Sculptures on the Square is a biennial exhibition that takes place on the sidewalks of downtown Troy!

In the summer of 2023 sculptures that reflect the theme, “Wind and Water” will be scattered throughout downtown Troy for visitors and community members to enjoy.

There will also be several public arts activities that will take place throughout the summer and local artwork will be displayed in many of our downtown businesses.

Over the years, a wide collection of artwork has been displayed downtown through the Sculptures on the Square exhibit. The exhibit has featured sculpture artist Seward Johnson several times. Exhibitions have also included engaging local artists and community groups to paint fiberglass biplanes or to create a door sculpture representing their local group or organization. In 2015, the exhibit featured a 31-foot sculpture of President Abraham Lincoln, also created by Seward Johnson. In 2017, the exhibit displayed 30 colorful steel bicycles created by artist Gilberto Aceves. In 2021 Troy Main Street switched gears and reached out to artists from all over the country to submit a sculpture that represented the theme “Taking Flight,” and 20 sculptures were displayed.

This years exhibition will kick off on Friday, June 16th, with the Sculptures on the Square Opening Celebration. The event will take place at The Rec in downtown Troy and additional activities centered around the theme “Wind and Water” will be happening on Courthouse Plaza that evening.

The schedule for the Opening Celebration is as follows:

  • 5:00 p.m. – Opening Celebration at The Rec
  • 6:00–7:30 p.m. – Live Music by Giana Allen on Courthouse Plaza
  • 6:00–8:00 p.m. – Courthouse Plaza Activities including Balloon boats, watercolor painting, Balloon Man, and Professor Bubbles

View the Sculptures June 16 – October 1, 2023

Sculptures on the Square – Las Bicicletas

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Throughout the months of May, June and July, Troy Main Street will present the eighth installment of Sculptures on the Square featuring LAS BICICLETAS, Urban Art from Mexico to the World. These colorful steel sculptures will grace Duke Park, Treasure Island, the bike path along the Great Miami River, and the sidewalks of downtown Troy. The exhibit has visited, and was well received, in Chicago, New York City, Williamsburg, Va., and Washington, D.C., as well as major cities throughout Mexico.

Aceves Navarro, who is in his 80s, has said in previous interviews that the bicycles are “vehicles of happiness and health.”

Mayor Michael Beamish thanked the artists for coming to Troy and thanked committee members for bringing another unique sculpture exhibit to Troy.

“It’s a great international exhibit that we continue to bring with our Sculptures on the Square Committee and all their efforts,” Beamish said. “We look at what would be a good fit for our community. We are a bike friendly community and this is a perfect fit to kick off the spring and summer season.”

Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission CEO Brian Martin joined the celebration, reminding the crowd that May is National Bicycle Month and said the exhibit fit perfect with next month’s theme.

“I’m sure you’ll have many visitors here in Troy and we’ll be helping spread the word,” Martin said.

Troy City Council recently passed its “Complete Streets” program, which will seek to make alternative transportation like cycling more user friendly in the city limits.

Troy will also host the “Tour de Donut” cycling tour with a sweet twist as cyclists travel to stations and enjoy doughnuts along the trail. The event will take place on Sat, September 16th .

Sculptures on the Square is a biennial public art exhibit in downtown Troy made possible by grants from the Troy Foundation and Robinson Fund, partnership with the city of Troy, and the generosity of individual and corporate donors.

For more information, call Troy Main Street at (937) 339-5455, or visit www.troymainstreet.org.