ScultpureWalk announces People's Choice Award, sculpture to remain in downtown Sioux Falls

The people have spoken.

“Elk,” by Travis Sorenson, of Sturgis, has been given the People’s Choice Award for SculptureWalk Sioux Falls this year. And, now, the City of Sioux Falls will purchase the piece.

"I would like to say I am very honored and thankful to have the privilege of getting one of my sculptures installed in the city of Sioux Falls," Sorenson said in a press release about the news Thursday.

As part of the annual display of SculptureWalk Sioux Falls, a People's Choice Award is selected by voters each year to become a permanent piece of art within the city. According to the SculptureWalk website, the piece costs $30,000. There were 500 votes cast.

The piece, outside of the Carpenter Building, is made of recycled stainless steel, steel and copper. The sculpture will remain there until the spring. Sorenson estimated about 80% of the sculpture is recycled.

“I just like wildlife, and elk are making a big comeback in South Dakota … And I like how they are,” Sorenson said at the announcement of the award.

Sorenson is no stranger to success in the event. Since 2017, this is his fifth selection, but his first time as People's Choice.

This year's contest was the 19th annual edition of the event, and this year set a new record of 69 sculptures. More than 300,000 visitors view the artwork a year, the organization said.

Earlier this year, the organization announced Best of Show awards. Here's who won that portion of the event:

"Carpe Carp" takes home first place in 'Best of Show'

As part of the SculptureWalk, "Carpe Carp," by Christine Knapp of Lyons, Colorado, received the People's Choice Award. The sculpture, which includes fish, is located at Fernson Brewing Company's downtown location.

More: Three sculptures named 'Best of Show'

Second place in 'Best of Show' awarded to "Voltereta"

"Voltereta," features a number of people in a bronze sculpture, located at the 12th Street Plaza. The piece, created by Shohini Ghosh of Highlands Ranch, Colorado, costs $30,000.

Sculpture outside Blarney Stone earns third place

A $24,000 sculpture outside Blarney Stone, received third place in the SculptureWalk Sioux Falls contest. Nathan Pierce, from Cape Girardeau, Missouri, created "Selene," a stainless steel and Lexan sculpture.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: SculptureWalk announces People's Choice Award for 2022