Mankato —Twin Rivers Council for the Arts proudly announces the installation of the sixteenth annual CityArt Walking Sculpture Tour on Saturday, May 16, 2026. The new exhibition will feature twenty six sculptures representing more than $475,000 in artwork from acclaimed sculptors across the country.

Between 6:30 and 8:30 a.m., Twin Rivers staff and volunteers, alongside several participating artists, will install the sculptures throughout the core blocks of downtown Mankato.

A program of Twin Rivers, CityArt has attracted thousands of residents and visitors over the years and continues to be recognized as one of Greater Mankato’s most celebrated cultural attractions.

Due to the summer 2026 closure of Belgrade Avenue and the Veterans Memorial Bridge, North Mankato is unable to host sculptures this season. To continue its commitment to annual public art experiences in North Mankato, CityArt is launching CityArt in the Alley, a vibrant creative placemaking series designed to activate the underutilized alley on the south side of Belgrade Avenue with art, activities and community connections throughout the summer.

Underwritten by the Gene Biewen and Noel Van Tol Fund, the four-event series will feature the following themed activations:

• Creating Art – Saturday, May 30, 2026, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
• Art & Play – Thursday, June 18, 2026, 4–7 p.m.
• Learning Art – Saturday, July 18, 2026, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
• Celebrating Us in Art -Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, 11 a.m.–5 p.m.

In addition, the Marian Anderson Fund of the Mankato Area Foundation is supporting the creation of a large-scale exterior mural at NaKato Bar & Grill that will be developed throughout the summer of 2026.

Since the founding of the CityArt program in 2011, nearly $5 million in sculptures have been displayed on Greater Mankato streets. More than thirty-two sculptures have been sold to private individuals and businesses, while over thirty-eight sculptures have been added to the region’s permanent public art collection.

This large-scale public art programming would not be possible without the continued financial and in-kind support of businesses, the cities of Mankato and North Mankato, area foundations and individual supporters.

The continued success of CityArt has also allowed the program to expand into additional public art initiatives, including CityArt On the Go, the City Center Public Art Tour and Silo Art—helping position Greater Mankato as a growing arts and cultural destination.

CityArt Walking Sculpture Tour brochures and maps will be available beginning Saturday at the Vote boxes located along the tour route and online at cityartmankato.com.

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About Twin Rivers Council for the Arts

Twin Rivers is a regional nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting artists, enriching communities, and expanding access to the arts through exhibitions, public art initiatives, education, and creative partnerships across southern Minnesota. www.twinriversarts.org

About CityArt Mankato

Established in 2011, CityArt works to enhance the quantity, quality and prominence of public art in the Mankato and North Mankato. CityArt is a program of Twin Rivers Council for the Arts and is dedicated to bringing public art to the community, contributing greatly to the vibrancy of our communities. CityArt initiatives include the CityArt Walking Sculpture Tour, CityArt On the Go, the City Center Public Art Tour and the Silo Art. www.cityartmankato.com