Since 1981, outdoor sculptures have adorned parts of downtown Abilene, welcoming those who pass through. These masterpieces are part of the longest running outdoor sculpture exhibit in Texas.
While galleries and museums around the Lone Star State host beautiful collections. Chair of Art and Design at Abilene Christian University, Dan McGregor says the city of Abilene is a unique outpost for Texas art lovers.
“I don't think people realize how vibrant of an art scene there is in Abilene, especially in downtown Abilene. We have so many great faces for the visual arts in Abilene” said McGregor.
Art is no stranger to this part of West Texas.
During a recent visit to the city, Molly Lind, a special education teacher, took time to admire the SCULPtour statues of the past.
“I believe it's really important that these statues represent the art and the time that people have put into thinking creatively” said Lind, “And that's really important that we don't lose that. And these statues just represent the art form of education.”
This 46-year-old exhibit is called the SCULPtour, a biannual event highlighting award-winning Texas artists.
The pieces that make up Abilene’s SCULPtour are just part of a bigger commitment to art in the city. And professor McGregor says he’s thrilled with the iconic statues that have helped define the city’s visual identity for four decades.
“What's great about the SCULPtour is it's bringing art out into the open in several contexts with the outdoor sculpture exhibits” said McGregor, “I mean, so many people have gone by the railroad tracks and seen the pig on the wheels or the big skull. I would say that for so many Abilenians, the main way they interface with visual art in our city is through the outdoor sculptures.”
The Abilene Cultural Affairs Council organizes a jury of sculptors and gallery curators to select the art for each exhibition. Skylar Young is an intern with the organization — who got hands-on experience with this project. She says the rigorous process of choosing these pieces starts with submissions through the Texas Sculpture Group.
“They gathered probably around twenty submissions. And then I organized those in a way for the jurors to be able to view and talk about” said Young, “And then got them all together and they had a meeting and picked their top four.”
They then make the plans for swapping in the new sculptures on either side of the train tracks that divide Abilene — on North First street and South 1st Street — and moving those that are retiring. Occasionally, the City of Abilene keeps a few of the more popular sculptures, and McGregor says those turn into landmarks.
“What I love about outdoor sculpture is just like the silhouette of a city skyline. Its sculptures can become part of the branding of a city” said McGregor.
Abilene now has nearly 30 permanent sculptures along the railroad tracks.
The pieces leaving this year are “Two Prisms with Molecular Eyes”, a large contemporary piece featuring eyes made out of pipes, “This Way Up”, a wooden ramp to the heavens, and “Bad Hair Day”, a bright red sculpture of a person with a blue bird resting on top.
As these pieces complete their run with Abilene’s SCULPTour — crews are installing sculptures created by Texas artists — Micheal Manjarris, Danville Chadbourne, and Luke Sides.
Skylar Young encourages art lovers to take the opportunity to engage with award-winning art that decorates downtown Abilene.
“Even if you can't make it to all of the receptions, we just want to make sure that people know that there are these public free events happening and great opportunities to see really incredible art by artists from around Texas, like some, you know, encompassing the whole state” said Young.
The 2026 SCULPtour will feature 20 artists-and seven shows — in multiple venues across the city. It begins September 18th with the closing of some of Abilene’s beloved summer galleries and exhibitions, and concludes with the welcoming of the new outdoor sculptures on September 19th.
For more information visit the Abilene CAC website.