ARTFULLY MERRIAM

Merriam offers imaginative and inspirational art around every corner. Thanks to a five-year placemaking initiative designed to enhance public spaces in downtown Merriam, we’re now home to many new beautiful sculptures that visitors and residents can enjoy, plus a host of other pieces and collections across the city. Plan a self-guided tour one afternoon to see Merriam’s artful offerings.

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Waterfall Park | 5191 Merriam Drive Designed by Colorado artist Joshua Weiner, this sculpture features a nine-foot tall caterpillar standing next to a 12foot cairn (a stack of granite river boulders) with a butterfly perched on top. This fun art piece was created to playfully explore place-making and identity.

Trinity

Advent Health Shawnee Mission | 9100 W. 74th St. Suspended in the hospital atrium, this massive sculpture features glass fixtures that were cast and blown by Rock Cottage Glass, the art-glass studio of local Merriam artist Dierk Van Keppel.

Still Time

Northwest corner of Merriam and Johnson Drives Created by Dan Maginn with DRAW Architecture + Urban Design, this sculpture features a tall stone tower with a large wind chime inside. The wind chime sounds counterpoint the busy intersection with a sense of calm.

Merriam Historic Plaza | 6304 E. Frontage Road This bronze sculpture and water fountain by artist Kwan Wu was dedicated in 2006. The mother bear and cubs celebrates one of the most popular features of historic Merriam Park, a 40-acre amusement park once located in Merriam.

Historic Merriam Mural

Merriam City Hall, Community Training Room | 9001 W. 62nd St. This mural depicts much of Merriam’s history, including Merriam Park, David Gee Campbell, Quaker Mission, American Indians, a covered wagon and trolley car, the first permanent school building, and many other Merriam homes and businesses from the 1860s to the 1930s.

Planting the Seeds

Merriam Marketplace | 5740 Merriam Drive Created by Christopher Weed, this stunning sculpture was inspired by nature. Each sphere’s brilliant mirror finish with organic variations suggests a large, sprouting seed. The piece transforms the viewer to another realm – muting outside distractions and providing an opportunity to reflect, if only for a moment.

Downtown Merriam Mural

Merriam Community Center | 6040 Slater St. This mural by Merriam artist Michael Young depicts downtown Merriam circa 1940. The stylized image was painted from a photo taken by Dr. Fawks, who had family ties to Merriam for over 50 years.

Bask

Merriam Community Center | 6040 Slater St. Using the sun and pools as inspiration, artist Blessing Hancock created this series as it relates to the surrounding environment and community activities. The sculptures incorporate words collected from Merriam residents. Visitors are invited to touch and sit on the art pieces. At night, the sculptures come alive with color-changing lighting.

Tim Murphy Art Gallery

Merriam Community Center | 6040 Slater St. The Tim Murphy Art Gallery features monthly exhibits by local and regional artists. All exhibits are free to view and many artists sell their pieces on display.