The people of Salina have declared “Peace.”  The votes have been counted, and “Daughters of Peace” is Salina’s favorite sculpture.

“Daughters of Peace”, located in the 200 Block of South Santa Fe, is the 2015 Sculpture Tour Salina People’s Choice Award winner. The sculpture by Benjamin Victor from South Dakota, depicts the daughters of a Native American woman and pioneer woman exchanging gifts.

According to Victor, the two daughters show us the image of human nature at its best. Children are not naturally inclined to racial prejudice; they are shown sharing their dolls in a gesture of peace for a future we still hope for. The two mothers walk towards each other representing the need for effort from each generation as we near the goal of peace between all cultures.

“Daughters of Peace” was selected by popular vote from among the 26 pieces in the exhibition in Salina’s downtown Lee District.

Previous People’s Choice Award winners include:

• 2011 – “Watch Dog” by Louise Peterson; On display in Oakdale Park Sculpture Garden
• 2012 – “Sweet Kisses” by Marianne Caroselli; On display in Oakdale Park Sculpture Garden
• 2013 – “Farmer” by Lawrence Starck; On display in Campbell Plaza, Downtown
• 2014 – “Next Up” by James Haire; To go on display at the Oakdale Park Tennis Courts

The $500 third place finisher this year was “San Francisco North”, while “Ralph” finished in second place with a prize of $1,000.

“Daughters of Peace” is valued at $18,000. It will be purchased by the City of Salina for $15,000 and will go on permanent display inside the Salina City / County Building.

Other than purchasing the People’s Choice winner, Sculpture Tour Salina is entirely privately funded. Multiple sculptures are temporarily displayed in the downtown area for a year. Each sculpture is for sale, with the City of Salina purchasing the People’s Choice winner for permanent display.

The current sculptures on the tour will soon be coming down, to make way for new ones. New Sculptures have been selected for 2016, and will unveiled in May. Twenty-three sculptures, representing fifteen artists, will be displayed.

Copyright © Alpha Media, 2016.  All Rights Reserved. No part of this story or website may be reproduced without Alpha Media’s express consent.

“Ralph” finished in second place with a prize of $1,000.

The $500 third place finisher this year was “San Francisco North”