The Art of Sculpture: Top Ten Sculptural Art Pieces in the City of San Antonio- A Guided Tour

The Art of Sculpture: Top Ten Sculptural Art Pieces in the City of San Antonio- A Guided Tour

San Antonio is full of beautiful public artwork. Amongst that beautiful artwork are many brilliant sculptures. Sculptural art, though usually large in nature, can be hard to find as you venture out into this large city. I've put together my top 10 favorite Sculptural art pieces with a guide so you can trek through the city to view these masterpieces.

For an exact mapping of the locations in order, please visit the following link: 

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1. Butterfly

Year Erected: 2012
Medium(s): Steel
Artist: Jack Robbins
Address/ Location: Prue Rd. and Howard W. Peak Greenway Trails
Description: This gorgeous butterfly sculpture can be found on the Greenway Trails at Leon Creek. You can either trek through the trails or drive by the sculpture off of Prue Rd. It's use of galvanized steel creates a stagnant motion that plays off of light and shadow.

2. Golden Age

Year Erected: 2013
Medium(s): Wheels, Steel
Artist: Anne Wallace
Address/ Location: Phil Hardberger Park ( 8400 NW Military Hwy, San Antonio, TX 78231 )
Description: I fell upon this amazing piece while hiking through Phil Hardberger Park one day. I wasn't sure if I'd fallen upon a project that the conservatory on site at the park was using. I soon found out that this brilliant sculpture that plays with wind and movement was a wonderful art piece created by Anne Wallace. See this piece by parking at the NW Military Hwy park entrance and hiking through that entrance. It's hard to miss it's brilliant sparkle in the sun.

3. Cowboy Boots

Year Erected: 1980
Medium(s): Concrete, Fiberglass
Artist: Bob Wade
Address/ Location: North Star Mall 410 Access Road entrance ( 126-246 NW Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78216 )
Description: This sculpture holds a very special place in my heart as I've known it since the day I was born. Bob Wade created this sculpture in the 70's but erected it in San Antonio to it's resting place at North Star Mall in 1980. This 35 foot tall sculpture is a staple to San Antonio Landmarks and can be seen by driving off of the Loop 410 East Access Road.

4. Grotto

Year Erected: 2009
Medium(s): Concrete
Artist: Carlos Cortes
Address/ Location: Camden and Newell Street ( 29.4409015,-98.482303 )
Description: This impressive sculpture can fool you into thinking that it's part of the natural landscape but it's not. It's an extremely complex sculpture by artist, Carlos Cortes. It's dream like structure can be seen by walking along the San Antonio River or by driving between the Camden and Newell Street bridges.

5. Fiesta Tower

Year Erected: 2003
Medium(s): Glass
Artist: Dale Chihuly
Address/ Location: Central Library ( 600 Soledad St, San Antonio, TX 78205 )
Description: It's hard to imagine a time before the Fiesta Tower sculpture at the Central Library in downtown San Antonio. This amazing and colorful large multicolored glass sculpture's pieces were hand blown by renowned artist, Dale Chihuly. It's the centerpiece of the enchilada red library and is meant to represent the unique multicultural qualities that San Antonio has to offer.

6. Liquid Crystal

Year Erected: 2016
Medium(s): LED Lighting Modules
Artist: Jason Bruges
Address/ Location: North Entry Atrium Lobby of the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center ( 333 Losoya St, San Antonio, TX 78205 )
Description: This fascinating piece was only unveiled last year at the convention center and it's beauty is hard to miss as you walk through the north atrium lobby. It creates a waterfall effect with the shimmering LED lights and plays with varying degrees so that it's different to every person who views it's substantial effect.

7. Torch of Friendship (Antorcha De Amistad)

Year Erected: 2001
Medium(s): Steel
Artist: Sebastian
Address/ Location: 900 E Market St, San Antonio, TX 78205
Description: This massive 65 foot steel sculpture is hard to miss as you roam the streets of downtown San Antonio and can also be seen driving through. The two ton masterpiece represents a combination of culture, languages and roads that merge into one.

8. F.I.S.H.

Year Erected: 2009
Medium(s): Fiberglass, LED Lighting
Artist: Donald Lipski
Address/ Location: Museum Reach @ I-35 and Camden ( 29.4393082,-98.4818497 )
Description: Though this piece can be seen in daylight, it's best seen as the sun goes down. It's LED lighting allows the beautiful bright coloring of the "F.I.S.H." sculpture to shine through. It is suspended from the underpass at I-35 closest to Camden St.

9. Ballroom Luminoso

Year Erected: 2013
Medium(s): Steel, LED Lighting
Artist: Joe O'Connell & Blessing Hancock
Address/ Location: Theo/ Malone Ave. @ I-35 underpass ( 29.4616187,-98.5078407 )
Description: This absolutely stunning piece can be seen in the most ordinary place transforming this ordinary place into a brilliant shadow theater. Underneath the I-35 underpass between Theo and Malone Avenues, these brilliant light emitting sculptures are created from recycled bike and metal parts. The color-changing LED lights allow this piece to be ever-changing, making for an interesting trip every time.

10. The Beacon

Year Erected: 2008
Medium(s): Steel-Corten, Lighting Device Components
Artist: Angel Rodriguez-Diaz
Address/ Location: Fulton and Blanco Rd. Roundabout ( 29.3875719,-98.5117133 )
Description: I loved this piece at first sight when I was a teenager. The lighting that is underneath the steel-corden gives the sculpture a picado effect that represents this city so well. The Mexican culture and the city's Fiesta festivities are reflected in this gorgeous sculpture that can be seen driving through Beacon Hill at the roundabout at Blanco and Fulton roads.


For More information on the Greenway Trails, please visit: http://www.sanantonio.gov/ParksAndRec/Parks-Facilities/Trails/Greenway-Trails

For More information on Phil Hardberger Park, please visit: https://www.philhardbergerpark.org/

For More information on North Star Mall, please visit: https://www.northstarmall.com/en.html

For More information on Museum Reach/ Riverwalk, please visit: http://visitsanantonio.com/english/Explore-San-Antonio/Only-in-San-Antonio/River-Walk/Touring-the-River-Walk

For More information on the San Antonio Central Library, please visit: http://mysapl.org/Visit/Locations/Central-Library

For More information on Henry B Gonzalez Convention Center, please visit: http://www.sahbgcc.com/

For More information on Beacon Hills, please visit:  http://www.beaconhillsanantonio.org/

For More information on the San Antonio Arts, please visit: sanantonio.culturemap.com