This “Willy,” anchored as it is at the southeast corner of West Twin, will eventually go with the man willing to pay its $24,000 asking price. You see, Bowden had the privilege of meeting another horse exactly the same size: the legendary Secretariat, and it’s that memory that opened his pocketbook.

The artist, Don Graber, of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, says in the piece’s description: “The sculpture is a tribute to my wife Laura’s wonderful Appaloosa gelding, Willy, that graced our pastures from 1991 to 2024. We were lucky to have him in our lives for 33 of his 35 years.”

Bowden said later that he will make certain “Willy,” a sculpture of reclaimed materials, will have a home here.

It was Webster City’s new city manager who elaborated on Thursday’s mood in the park. John Harrenstein has made it no secret that he appreciates what art can do for a community.

-Messenger photo by David Borer
Leilani Lucero, of Webster City, looks up at "Tenderness," one of the sculptures in West Twin Park during the Art in the Park sculpture event Thursday hosted by Arts R Alive.

He listed his five whys:

“Locally, we already have seen the impact of murals and window coverings in the downtown area as well as decorative welcome signs and wayfinding signage commissioned by the city.

“In short, while certainly a luxury not afforded to all cities, public art has historically been a place for public investment. It’s not a role unfamiliar to public agencies. So the first why in why I support public art is it is a familiar common goal for public agencies to be involved in,” Harrenstein told the crowd.

“My second why is accessibility. One of the benefits of public art and one of the reasons I enjoy city government is because we can provide accessible features to all residents. One of the benefits of public art is that it is accessible to all, rich or poor, young or old, resident or visitor. Simply look at the enhancements to our park tonight. I think we can all recognize our experience here has been enhanced by the sculptures and creativity it adds to a traditional public square.

“The third why, involvement and partnerships. Public art extends partnerships and involvement between cities and individuals or groups committed to improving a place. Again, here in this park we have a perfect example of what can be accomplished through partnerships, a city-owned park, and a nonprofit dedicated to raising money for sculptures and a patronage of individuals and businesses who are funding those sculptures. Here we see how public art can be a template of partnerships for cities, nonprofits and individuals.

“The fourth why for public art: contemplation and ideas. Public art, and art in general, allows everyone to react to the image or sculpture or structure that is being displayed. It is a perfect experience to reflect on how community works, as we all know each person comes to city or an issue or a sculpture, in this instance, and has a reaction, emotion, or thought that is unique to the individual.

“The fifth reason I support public art is simply the manner in which it enriches the environment for both residents and visitors. Public art takes old existing places and allows them to be reimagined. It allows us to see them in a new way, as well as envision its future. Public art allows us to have fun. To think about new ideas. And opens our minds to what’s possible in spaces. It can be experiential, a sculpture children might play on. It can be a waterway. It can be an image. It can be a mural. There are many ways art can be applied to enrich the experience of a community. Public art is more than simply aesthetics. It can help create pulse points in gathering places in targeted areas, acting as economic drivers, drawing visitors, shoppers and possibly development.”

Then Harrenstein asked: “What’s next for public art or perhaps what’s possible?

“Let’s pose some questions because, of course in art, it’s a dialogue, right? Not a lecture. What makes Webster City unique? And how can we enhance that uniqueness with public art? What types of artwork are we lacking and what types should be encouraged? Where can public artwork best leverage existing assets and build upon existing community benefits? What city plans have already been adopted or are being created where public art can be integrated?”

This year’s was the 14th annual Arts R Alive sculpture event.