This is an effort at stimulating outdoor art in Boonville; it would be a modest scale compared to the Plaza in Kansas City. The idea of fostering an outdoor arts program in Boonville is not new. More than a decade ago Judy Shields had promoted this idea. There also are people in the area that would like to see a wider geographic area considered in the development of an outdoor arts project. This public meeting provides a forum to begin the dialogue.

Besides sculpture at Walnut Grove Cemetery, the only outdoor public art in Boonville is the bulldogs at Laura Speed Elliott School, the Statue of Liberty the Cooper County Courthouse, and the Boonslick mural on High Street at Main Street.

More recent developments have emanated from discussions with several groups of people interested in outdoor art to interpret the area’s history, to encourage the arts, to promote visitors coming to Boonville and to encourage those coming to stay and enjoy a wide range of experiences.

An ancillary, but significant benefit, is that this also could be a major tourist attraction and could split off into many other interactive art projects. We have many interesting visitor sites, but really nothing unique for children. There is little outdoor art to stimulate their interest. There also is virtually no outdoor art that captures the historical tradition of Boonville. There can be considerable pride and aesthetic benefits that come from outdoor art. A concept that community developers discuss today goes beyond community attitudes and includes the concept of community attachment.

For tourists, we need things to hold people when they arrive here. It would be nice to have them tour Historic Sculpture City (Boonville), maybe eat here and stop at the Isle and in the a.m. shop here. These outdoor works could be placed in parks, along sidewalks or even in the front of private residences (if they agree to grant an easement for the plot.) The artwork could become the property of the City of Boonville or ? One major plus of outdoor art possibilities is the low to no maintenance.

It might be worthwhile considering the addition of at least one outdoor art work each year. It would seem one major possibility is to begin with a statue of Daniel Boone at Morgan and Main Street (perhaps designate the alleyway as Daniel Boone Drive?) Boonville is named for Daniel Boone and the name has national recognition. It could be interactive—as could many of the pieces—and allow for visitors to sit on. Maybe the Isle would permit a shingle under their outdoor advertising boards to have a line that says something like "Come sit and visit with Daniel Boone" or "Take your picture with Daniel Boone." In October the Boonville Park Advisory Board approved recommending the placement of such a statue at the site.

Most of the discussion had formed around the concept of a steering committee to guide selection of the type of outdoor art, the location, selection of an artist, etc… The steering group would not seek its own 501©3, but would work to collaborate with organizations that have existing 501©3 income tax status. For example, Downtown Boonville Inc., Friends of historic Boonville, maybe even Mo-River.Net. There probably are many other existing 501©3 organizations that could be utilized.

Latest Guesstimate for cost of Daniel Boone Sculpture—if it is selected:

$50,000 to $55,000 --includes sitting stump for visitors..

Possible funding sources: This list is by no means exclusive. It is simply a starting point or talking point.:

$4,000 Boonville Tourism Commission

$1,000 Cooper County Commission

$16,000 Sabra Tull Meyer contacted Boone County about the bricks that were made for the art project at the courthouse square there in 1998. At that time, for one line the cost would roughly be $12.15 per brick ($15 for two lines, $19.50 for three lines). This assumed between 100 and 3000 bricks. We may want to investigate other avenues for doors of "x" dollars. (For donations might sell at $100 a brick). Another possibility is to make a limited number of prints from a drawing signed by the artist. Another possibility is an artistic poster of the sculpture or art be placed on that is signed) Small businesses and families would be recognized for donations by having their names placed on the bricks or be given some other tangible object, such as a poster or drawing signed by the artist. Also possible are  bronze resin pieces that could be given to donors contributing $500 or more.

$9,000 per year by local financial institutions, industries and major retailer and schools (perhaps goal of $25 per classroom elementary, $100 for Middle and $200 per sophomore, juniors and seniors for the outdoor art that year),--perhaps a three-year commitment,

$10,000 City of Boonville Capital Improvements. This would allow $2000 for the landscaping. The funds would contribute to the public welfare, stir economic development, and be capital expenditures, not continuing expenditures..

$10,000 other sources?

Just from e-mails, phone calls and conversations, suggestions for outdoor art have poured in. Here are those that have been sent or suggested:

Lewis and Clark with York--the slave--and "Seaman" the dog.

Lon Stephens--Stephens Opera House, now known as Thespian Hall-- (He became governor of Missouri).

Riverboat Gambler--The riverboat theme is reflected in the logo for Boonville.

First Agricultural Exposition in Missouri--forerunner to the State Fair.

The Civil; War Battle of Boonville. To celebrate its unveiling we could work with the Civil War enactment people.

Pioneer Women--The state DAR house in Boonville.

Sumner School—Commemorating the teachers and students who were raised in segregated schools.

Railroad by the KATY Depot—Former City Councilman Wayne Lammers has a photo of a conductor standing on a MOPAC Caboose, here in Boonville, from the late 1890's.

Will Rogers attended Kemper Military School

Pirate ship and pirates at Boonville High School—Possibly by senior high students and the booster club.

The Healers--Possible modern art work at front of Cooper County Memorial Hospital.

Imaginary Animal/Flower Garden Park One park may be designated Imaginary Animal Park. This would be primarily for the kids. Artists and maybe even kids would design the fiberglass sculptures (perhaps 10 feet to 12 feet tall)--perhaps as many as 15 or 20 figures would be installed so kids could explore around them and maybe have a playground adjacent. It would be best to limit the climbable height to about 30 inches. We have located a firm that fabricates in fiberglass. The business can give an estimate when it receives a drawing or small model. That is something we can take up at a meeting.

Modern Sculpture Park This might be outside the historic district and add to the diversity of art.

Captain Kinney of Rivercene, who lived in Boonville before moving across the river.

The Bell Family of Bell's fruit orchard fame.

Alphonso Wetmore, organizer of the first Santa Fe Expedition.

Colonel Benjamin Cooper for whom Cooper County was named.

Sombart Family—early day merchants.

Leonard Family---the first to import registered shorthorn cattle west of the Mississippi

Kit Carson—Scout.

John Hardemann, first botanical garden west of Mississippi.

Millie Cooper, saved Cooper's Fort from Indian attack during the War of 1812.

Graffiti Wall (Behind Rabbit Hutch) for citizen art.

Emancipation Proclamation in Boonville.

Historic African-American minister (perhaps by Morgan Street Baptist Church).

German Winemakers that once thrived in Boonville.

Ida B. Wells spoke in Boonville during her travels in this country and even England during 1880s into1900. She was a crusader to stop the lynching of black people.

George Caleb Bingham His connection with Boonville is very strong, and there are several places around town that have his paintings; UMB Bank, library, Masonic Temple, DAR house. to name a few. "Forest Hill" in Boonville is the only house he ever included in one of his paintings, and he was a frequent guest of the Nelsons.

Prepared by Art Schneider