Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States Illinois Galena West Street Sculpture Park
AO Edited

West Street Sculpture Park

Dozens of large steel sculptures fill this two-acre park outside a former blacksmith's studio.

Galena, Illinois

Added By
Jane Clift
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Baby Blue   elffromspace / Atlas Obscura User
Leaning Tower of Family Farming   elffromspace / Atlas Obscura User
  elffromspace / Atlas Obscura User
Gear Shaft   elffromspace / Atlas Obscura User
Sculpture Park Map   elffromspace / Atlas Obscura User
Information Center   elffromspace / Atlas Obscura User
Tasty Snacks   elffromspace / Atlas Obscura User
7:45 Don’t Be Late   elffromspace / Atlas Obscura User
Sunrise Spinnin   elffromspace / Atlas Obscura User
Junk or Art?   elffromspace / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

John Martinson has been upcycling scrap materials to make quirky sculptures since he opened his Galena studio in 1986. This two-acre park beside his studio has grown to contain more than 30 sculptures with name signs and an info map. Many of the sculptures are interactive such as Klymme, an altered set of monkey bars that kids may climb with parental supervision, and Sunrise Spinnin, which squeaks and wobbles when the large bar rotates.

Martinson moved to Galena, Illinois, to run a blacksmith shop before transitioning into making sculptures from scrap metal. His sculpture named Boulders, which is made of rusty steel drums that were crushed into interesting shapes, caused controversy when it was originally displayed in front of a town gallery causing many residents to complain that it was trash and not art. One of the more charming stories is about a grumpy resident complaining about the artwork until he is reminded of how much he brags about his rusty old 1967 International pickup, which has holes in the floor and yet the owner proclaims it to be a thing of beauty.

Related Tags

Metal Art Outside Sculptures Sculpture Gardens

Know Before You Go

Visitors are welcome, parking on the street side or in the small driveway. Admission is free but donations encouraged. Brochure maps are in the Information Center stand near the driveway.

Community Contributors

Added By

elffromspace

Published

January 12, 2023

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
West Street Sculpture Park
620 S W St
Galena, Illinois, 61036
United States
42.410984, -90.438407
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

DeSoto House Hotel

Galena, Illinois

miles away

The Dowling House

Galena, Illinois

miles away

Crystal Lake Cave

Dubuque, Iowa

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Galena

Galena

Illinois

Places 3

Nearby Places

DeSoto House Hotel

Galena, Illinois

miles away

The Dowling House

Galena, Illinois

miles away

Crystal Lake Cave

Dubuque, Iowa

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Galena

Galena

Illinois

Places 3

Related Places

  • dragon

    Sept-Îles, Québec

    Iron Sculptures of Sept-Îles

    A collection of whimsical metal sculptures scattered along a forest path.

  • Olancha, California

    Olancha Sculpture Garden

    A charming easy-to-miss sculpture garden filled with whimsical and thought-provoking metal sculptures.

  • Glen LeMesurier’s sculptures in the Twilight Sculpture Garden.

    Montreal, Québec

    Twilight Sculpture Garden

    A patch of contaminated land reclaimed as a scrappy sculptural oasis.

  • Stellenbosch, South Africa

    Dylan Lewis Studio and Sculpture Garden

    A sculpted indigenous garden featuring more than 60 works by Dylan Lewis.

  • Hörby, Sweden

    'Multiplera Skåne'

    Unexpectedly standing in a glade, this large group of life-sized, 3D-printed clay figures captures the essence of local young people.

  • Staré Město, Czechia

    Kovozoo (Metal Zoo)

    Hundreds of "animals" created from scrap metal, alongside a collection of other oddities.

  • UFO

    Cusco, Peru

    Area 21 Cusco

    An extraterrestrial-themed art exhibit makes the perfect place to crash-land while interacting with Andean culture and history.

  • ‘Silent Leather,’ the first piece Mignery donated to his hometown.

    Bartlett, Nebraska

    Mignery Sculpture Garden

    This town of 100 people has approximately one bronze sculpture for every two residents.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.