Explore Outdoor Art at These Wisconsin Sculpture Gardens
Visit a Wisconsin sculpture park and you’ll spend time in refreshing green spaces while appreciating a vibrant array of art – and in this state, that often means quirky creations made by self-trained artists. You’ll find these art gardens are decidedly family-friendly, allowing everyone to move about at their own pace. Here are some of the most photogenic (and Instagram-worthy!) outdoor art collections in Wisconsin.
Jurustic Park - Marshfield
Nothing captures the imagination like dinosaurs, especially for young kids. This collection of oxidized metalwork monsters is good fun for everyone. Creator Clyde Wynia calls himself an “amateur paleontologist” and has used his retirement years to “excavate” these creatures from nearby McMillan Marsh near Marshfield.
Cross the footbridge into a yard filled with creatures great and small – some with wings, many with scales – surrounding the Hobbit House, which is a studio for his wife Nancy’s glass and fiber artwork. Visit for a free excursion the whole family will never forget.
Wisconsin Concrete Park - Phillips
Born to German immigrants in 1886, Fred Smith never learned to read or write, but he had a knack for building with rocks. When he wasn’t working hard in the lumber industry, he made a rock garden for his wife and built a stone tavern.
When he left the woods at the age of 62, his creativity exploded, and from 1948 to 1964 he created 237 concrete sculptures of regional historical figures, Native Americans, and animals, as well as a final masterpiece, a Budweiser horse display. These sculptures now make up Wisconsin Concrete Park, an incredible outdoor museum open year-round.
Lynden Sculpture Garden - Milwaukee
Located on the north side of Milwaukee, this 40-acre park combines art with a wonderful urban green space and a small lake. The former home of industrialist Harry Bradley and his wife Peg, the house and land previously functioned as a farm which the owners converted into an English-style country park with trees, flower beds and a collection of more than 50 monumental sculptures. Peg Bradley, an avid art collector, had them carefully arranged throughout the manicured grounds, making this a perfect place to wander or even have a picnic. Guided and self-guided tours are available, and you can visit the house and art gallery as well.
Paul Bobrowitz Spectacular Sculpture Garden - Colgate
Named for its creator, an award-winning sculptor, this six-acre outdoor gallery northwest of Milwaukee shows an array of his imaginative works. From abstract designs and mythical creatures to dreamlike human figures, many of the works show a wide palette of lively colors. The indoor studio is also open by appointment. Items are for sale, so you can start your own backyard sculpture garden.
Dr. Evermor's Forevertron - Baraboo
The late Tom O. Every had a fascination with junkyard scrap since childhood, when he’d re-fashion it into useful gadgets. He took on the persona of Dr. Evermor in the 1980s and began crafting all sorts of critters and creations. His huge, whimsical outdoor gallery is now a junkyard turned steam-punk science fiction novel.
At the center is the 300-ton, 50-foot high, 120-foot wide Forevertron, the world’s largest scrap metal sculpture, partly comprised of two 19th-century dynamos from the Henry Ford Museum. Take a trip to Baraboo to experience this one-of-a-kind kingdom (for free!).
Stevens Point Sculpture Park - Stevens Point
Stroll between towering pines, along a flowing stream and through natural wetlands in the 20-acre Stevens Point Sculpture Park. Featuring artwork from local, regional and national artists, the route connects with the city’s Green Circle Trail and is completely wheelchair-accessible.
Visit any time of year to discover newly added environmental art exhibitions, performance events and more. Admission is free!
There's more unexpected oddities to be discovered around Wisconsin – prepare to pull over for these quirky roadside attractions!
