Walking down Phillips Avenue during the summer, a main attraction for many citizens is the SculptureWalk. While being able to support local business, people are also able to appreciate local art. But, according to KELOLAND News, on Monday, March 27, the statue ‘Weathering the Storm’ was stolen from its stand in front of cupcake shop Half Baked on Phillips Avenue. Police were asking the public for help when searching for this sculpture. Just down the street, a University of Sioux Falls student found the sculpture and notified local police.

“The sculpture is not damaged at all, and the good Samaritans will earn $1,000 in reward money,” said Jim Clark, Executive Director.

The Sioux Falls Police Department have a couple of ways to find out who lifted the bronze statue from its pedestal.

“There are certainly a number of cameras in the downtown area that will help us to at least track or possibly get some information from that,” said Captain Loren McManus of the Sioux Falls Police Department.

SculptureWalk officials are searching for ways to make the pieces of art harder to take and these include installing even more security cameras in the downtown area and also welding the sculptures to the base that they sit on.

“Before the Sculpture Walk, there was nobody downtown,” said Clark. “Sunday afternoon is booming, actually.  Businesses are staying open now because of all the people coming to eat. It’s economic development. It brings tourists.”

The ‘Weathering the Storm’ sculpture will now go into storage to make way for new local art as the upcoming summer season approaches.

“We’re just very happy to have it back,” said Clark.