public art

'Be a Light' mural brightens basement at Lincoln High School

Jul 1, 2026

Colin Atkinson, art teacher at Lincoln High School, once again sent some promising art students to Mark Henry’s Buildings and Grounds Director’s ofﬁce and custodial breakroom to generate ideas for a mural to brighten up the space. In recent years, the basement of the 1930’s building has been a...

Where will The Wave go?

Nov 5, 2025

On Monday, Nov. 10, at the Lake City Council meeting, Lake City Historical Society (LCHS) President Katie Himanga will present the findings of the community survey conducted by the Lake City Historical Society regarding The Wave sculpture. The Council will be voting that evening on whether The...

Art in Motion ready to roll for second year

Apr 9, 2025

The Lake City Area Arts is bringing back its successful “Art in Motion” outdoor art exhibit to Lake City this summer. You may have noticed the fun and colorful re-imagined bicycles brightening the downtown area last summer and if you didn’t have an opportunity to participate then, here’s your...

Why it’s important to ‘Save the Wave’

Dec 18, 2024

Recently the Lake City Historical Society (LCHS) commissioned an art conservator to assess the condition of the iconic “The Wave” sculpture to see how extensive the damage to it was and to see if it could be restored and preserved. (Preservation of culturally significant items is part of their...

Gazebo should be a higher priority

Dec 11, 2024

I’m writing in response to “‘The Wave’ can be saved” article in the Dec. 5 Graphic. I think the time and money spent trying to save “The Wave” would be better directed at renovating the Patton Park gazebo. “The Wave” was poorly constructed, and, in public opinion, not a very attractive...

The Wave put into storage

Sep 27, 2023

The City of Lake City has removed The Wave statue from its base in Ohuta Park and placed it in storage at the City Public Works facility on Highway 61 South. The condition of the sculpture, which dates to the 1970s and commemorates the invention of water skiing on Lake Pepin, has deteriorated over...

Muralists working side-by-side

Aug 30, 2023

Ann Nibbe of the Lake City Mural Committee captured this photo of Brandy (left) and Tony Klindworth at work on the mural coming to the south-facing wall of Kennedy Drug by Sterling in Lake City. The committee hired the Klindworth’s company, Laddermouse, to design and paint the mural, which will be...

Wave goodbye?

Aug 16, 2023

Officials say the wave sculpture in Ohuta Park will have to be removed when a new seawall is constructed at the park. Beyond that the fate of the decades-old public artwork depends on a few factors. The first is whether it can be restored, the second is whether there is a group willing to fund the...

Watch for festive rocks

May 25, 2022

The Lake City 150 Celebration Committee asked Dan Steffenhagen, Bluff View Elementary School art teacher, and Gramm’s Rocks to come up with 150-plus painted rocks to celebrate the Sesquicentennial. These rocks will be hidden in various public areas this summer. “If they are found they will become a...

Banner group unveils prototype

Feb 24, 2021

Enthusiasm is high and foundation work continues on the Lake City Lamppost Banner Program, a committee working on the project reports. On Tuesday, Feb. 23, they temporarily installed a prototype metal banner on Lakeshore Drive to visually check for fit and appearance. This banner is made of...