Public Art
Merriam offers imaginative and inspirational art around every corner. Merriam City Council first established a five-year placemaking initiative in 2014. This public art program was designed to enhance public spaces around Merriam. Years later, Merriam is now home to many beautiful sculptures that visitors and residents can enjoy.
Merriam City Councilmembers believe it's important to continue supporting the arts in our City and reestablished a five-year budget for public art in 2023. The Public Art Committee reformed to help determine what and where new works of art should go. Committee members are made up of community members and two City Councilmembers. They will meet as needed between 2023 and 2027.
Public Art in Merriam
Bask
Artist: Blessing Hancock
Merriam Community Center, 6040 Slater Street
The newest of Merriam's public art pieces, Bask is located in the courtyard of the Merriam Community Center. Using the sun and pools as inspiration, the artist created this series as it relates to the surrounding environment and community activities. The sculptures incorporate words collected from Merriam residents describing their community. The sculpture comes alive with color-changing lighting at night.
Downtown Merriam Mural
Artist: Michael Young
Merriam Community Center, 6040 Slater Street
This mural by Michael Young shows a replica of downtown Merriam, circa 1940. The stylized image was painted from a photo taken by Dr. Fawks who had family ties to Merriam for over 50 years.
Historic Merriam Mural
Artist: Charles Goslin
Merriam City Hall, 9001 W. 62nd Street
This mural hangs in the Community Training Room at Merriam City Hall. It depicts much of Merriam's history including Merriam Park, David Gee Campbell, the Quaker Mission, American Indians, a covered wagon and trolley car, the first permanent school building and many other homes and businesses from the 1860s to the 1930s.
Hmmm...
Artist: Joshua Weiner
Waterfall Park, 5191 Merriam Drive
This sculpture features a nine-foot tall caterpillar standing next to a 12-foot cairn (stack of river boulders) with a butterfly perched on top. This fun art piece was created to playfully explore placemaking and identity and is located at Merriam's beautiful Waterfall Park.
Motherhood
Artist: Kwan Wu
Merriam Historic Plaza, 6304 E. Frontage Road
This bronze sculpture and water fountain was dedicated in 2006 at the Merriam Historic Plaza & Visitors Bureau. The mother bear with her cubs celebrate one of the most popular features of historic Merriam Park, a 40-acre amusement park greeting thousands of visitors daily in the late 1800s.
Planting the Seeds
Artist: Christopher Weed
Merriam Marketplace, 5740 Merriam Drive
This stunning sculpture was inspired by nature. Each sphere's brilliant mirror finish with organic variations suggests a large, sprouting seed. The piece transforms the viewer to another realm – muting the outside distractions while providing an opportunity of reflection.
Still Time
Artist: Dan Maginn, DRAW Architecture + Urban Design
Northwest corner of Johnson & Merriam Drives
This sculpture features an 8x8 limestone and steel tower with a large wind chime inside. The wind chime sounds counterpoint the busy intersection with a sense of calm. The work celebrates the timeless presence of wind on the site, tying into the memory of the original settlers of the region, the Kanza Tribe, which were known as the “People of the South Wind.” The artist team worked closely with UMKC composer Paul Rudy on the sound component of the piece. Once the tower was in place, the team performed an analysis of the resonance of the chamber, which allowed Paul to suggest the five exact notes that would resonate the most, and provide the richest sound experience.