Learn Our History Through Public Art

This post is in conjunction with Johnson County Library’s “Past is Prologue: A New Deal for Public Art in the Free State” public program on July 7. To register for this program, please visit Johnson County Library’s website.

Since 2006, Johnson County has placed a unique emphasis on providing public art for locals and visitors alike to explore and enjoy. Founded in 2006 and reaffirmed in 2017, the Public Art Commission of Johnson County ensures adding public art pieces throughout the county is a priority for new developments, revitalizations, and high traffic areas. Read through below to read about pieces that tell the history of Johnson County through an artistic lens. To explore even more works of public art, visit The Arts Council of Johnson County’s Public Art Digital Catalog. What’s your favorite piece? Leave a picture from your visit in the comments!

De Soto

The city of De Soto has encouraged a vibrant public art scene over the years. Their first public sculpture, Native Spirit, is a metal sculpture made of welded rings created by De Soto art teacher Tim Mispagel. It was originally displayed for one year at the entrance to De Soto City Hall, and has now found a permanent home in front of the NWCFD Fire Station in downtown De Soto.

Leawood

A representation of a teacher with two pupils, Prairie Lessons is dedicated to the historical contributions of teachers in Kansas from the early days of one room school houses to our modern day educators. You can find this bronze statue down a short access trail next to the Oxford School House in Ironwoods Park at 147th Street and Mission Road in Leawood.

Lenexa

The city of Lenexa was named for a Shawnee named Na-Nex-Se. Na-Nex-Se and her husband Quasky Blackhoof where displaced to Kansas from Ohio in 1832 with the Wapakoneta band of the Shawnee Tribe. Their home was near modern day 71st and Switzer. Even after her husband’s death, Nax-Nex-Se continued to farm the land, tend the orchard, and maintain their homestead. The bronze piece was dedicated to Joan Bowman, a former mayor of Lenexa.

Merriam

Artist Emily Alvarez designed the murals found in the Webb Family Meeting Room at Johnson County Library’s Merriam Plaza Branch around the roots that connect the Merriam community. The room is named for Alfonso and Mary Webb who were the named plaintiffs in the iconic Webb vs. School District 90, South Park Johnson County, a desegregation case that served as a major precursor to Brown vs. Topeka Board of Education. Alfonso and Mary Webb and their 10 children are painted into the mural on the West wall of the meeting room.

Olathe

Originally located at 119th and Strang Line Road, the piece was moved to its current location in honor of the historic Lone Elm Campground where travelers would often stop for their first night on the Santa Fe Trail. The sculpture’s location sits at the edge of the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop and Farm historic site where visitors can catch a glimpse of the time period when the Santa Fe Trail was a major commerce route.

Overland Park

This bronze sculpture found in downtown Overland Park commemorates the city’s founder William B. Strang, Jr. Strang developed the land for modern day northern Overland Park and founded the iconic rail line bearing his name that ran from downtown Kansas City to Olathe. In his left hand, Strang holds rolled up plans to represent his planning for Overland Park as he gazes out over the historic downtown area.

Prairie Village

The land that makes up modern day Prairie Village has evolved from rolling prairies to spacious farmland to suburban communities. Prairie Evolution is probably the most modern piece of art on our list. The blue and green glass houses in metal frames represent the modern suburban houses rising out of the original tallgrass prairie. From the artist’s statement, “The two bases reference at the same time the sod house emerging out of the prairie and also the modern day roof line and dormer of a Prairie Village suburban home. From this foundation a series of silhouetted home shapes replicate and grow vertically. These two structures unfold skyward to the point of nearly converging with one another to form an archway. Their presence creates a welcoming gateway to the newly developed Corinth Square.”