Seats_Taken_Mendez_2015 It’s amazing what one can construct with hundreds of pieces of metal. Maybe even a horse. If you don't believe me, go to Decatur, Indiana and observe “Seat’s Taken’.

It is a new sculpture designed and assembled by Decatur resident and sculptor Gregory Mendez. From the front it appears to be Pegasus, the graceful, magical, mythical creature.

From the back, the wings appear to be two birds trying to sit on this horse … thereby its title:  (This) Seat’s Taken.

The item is part of the 2016 Decatur Sculpture Tour which begins Friday, June 10 is open through April 2017.

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The Decatur Sculpture Tour is in its fifth year. The current tour has 31 sculptures, the largest exhibit to date. Those amazing 31 original creations will be on display June 2016-April 2017. The 10-month gallery this year includes 21 outdoor sculptures and 10 indoor sculptures. During the 10-month exhibit, visitors can self-guide the tour with maps provided in Decatur Sculpture Tour street stands.

Founders park bronze Haire with mic

The unveiling and other events scheduled to occur during the weekend will be held at the Court House Square in downtown Decatur. The Victorian courthouse built in 1873 is easy to find—just look up! It stands tall above most other buildings.

The 2016 exhibit features 18 artists from six states. This is more than a small town promoting its local artists, although Decatur has some impressive credentials.

Decatur is the boyhood home of renowned sculpture artist David Smith who has been widely heralded as the greatest American sculptor of the 20th century. Decatur is also the hometown of pre-eminent American sculptor Ralph Hurst. Three of Hurst’s works are on permanent display in the community.

Current Decatur artists include Curtis Delk Rose, Carole S. Richardson-Macklin, Thomas Barker, Alex Mendez, and Helen Buescher-Miller, all of whom contributed lovely works to the 2016 tour.

Rose Curtis True Love Grows

Rose has participated in the Decatur Sculpture tour for several years and in 2012 he won Mayor’s Choice for his Mobius patterned creation entitled ‘True Love Grows’. Isn't this a mesmerizing piece of artistry? It almost makes me dizzy with all of its curves and connections.

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Interested in more art exhibits in Indiana? Find more here.

The idea for the Decatur Sculpture Tour originated in 2011 with the Decatur Kekionga Festival. The Adams Public Library hosted a sculpture exhibit by Greg Mendez. The library also commissioned Mr. Mendez to create and install the sculpture “It Must Be a Good Book” in front of the library in memory of a longtime library volunteer.

The children's sculpture was popular enough that local leaders began organizing a Sculpture Walk within the city. Eight outdoor and four indoor sculptures were featured in the first year.

In 2013, the organization’s name was changed to Decatur Sculpture Tour to reflect the expanded footprint beyond the immediate downtown area.

The art exhibit is free and street parking is available. Walking tour maps are available.

Be sure to vote for your favorite sculpture by Sept. 30 to be part of choosing the People’s Choice award, which will be announced in early October.

Sculptures are original works for sale but must remain on display through April of 2017. The Decatur Sculpture Tour Committee retains a portion of sale proceeds to help underwrite future sculpture tour efforts and to purchase permanent art for the community.

Visit the Decatur Sculpture Tour Facebook page to learn more.

Decatur is located 20 minutes south of Fort Wayne and two hours north of Indianapolis at the crossroads of U.S. 27 and U.S. 224, close to the Indiana—Ohio line.

Want to learn about other small Indiana towns to explore? Plan your adventure here.