Meet the People’s Choice SculptureWalk winner

Oct. 24, 2019

The piece is called Under Construction, but it’s about to become a permanent part of the Sioux Falls sculpture collection.

Ohio artist Gary Hovey has been named the People’s Choice winner for this year’s SculptureWalk with his piece created from knives, spoons and forks. The sculpture depicts beavers building a home for many creatures. It’s on Phillips Avenue between 11th and 12th streets.

It’s the second year in a row that Hovey has received the People’s Choice award. Bear Lee, Standing was the crowd favorite last year. 

“It’s an honor to be selected to exhibit in Sioux Falls and SculptureWalk,” Hovey said. “But it’s thrilling to be voted as the People’s Choice. As an artist, you want your work to inspire interest and give people a reason to stop and enjoy your work, but to have them choose your work, with so many great sculptures and artists represented, it’s really an honor.”

The People’s Choice award is in its 16th year and is voted on by SculptureWalk visitors. The winning sculpture is purchased by the city of Sioux Falls and becomes a part of the community’s permanent collection.

“For SculptureWalk to continue to be the best, we need to make sure that our artists are recognized for their great work and at the same time engage the community and our visitors to be a part of our program,” SculptureWalk director Jim Clark said. “It is rewarding to see the past winners displayed downtown and around the city. We really are a city of sculpture, and we’re committed to continuing that tradition in the future.”

While Hovey’s sculptures are a favorite among visitors, many likely don’t know the inspiring story behind them. Hovey was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease 10 years ago and began this chapter of his art career because of it.

“Since I can’t work a regular job anymore, making my art gives me purpose,” he said. “I want my story to inspire others to look for what they can do despite what has happened to them.”

Earlier this year, SculptureWalk artists peer reviewed all 59 sculptures to select the Best of Show awards as part of the Virtuoso program funded by the Scoular Family Trust.  The top sculpture went to artist Heather Wall of Powell River, British Columbia, and her piece Silver Belle.

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Meet the People’s Choice SculptureWalk winner

The piece is called “Under Construction,” but it’s about to become a permanent part of the Sioux Falls sculpture collection.

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