Wherever I travel, I like to find public art. In most cases, it is free so it doesn't add any cost…read moreto my visit. So whenever I find a collection, I put together a walking tour for myself. Here is the artwork I was able to find on the IU-South Bend campus. Starting near the Admin Building on the northwest side of campus, an 8' bronze sculpture by John Pontius (former student here) can be found on the west lawn of the Admin Building. Created in 1987, (a) Reaching (also called Freedom) portrays a male figure reaching towards the sky with arms thrown up and back as if in celebration, embracing all that is good. Pontius was a student of Harold Tuck Langland, a celebrated art instructor/sculptor who has several sculptures on campus. Crossing to the east of the Admin Building to the central commons area, Langland's (b) Memory was created in 1999. This small sculpture shows a life size bust of a woman with a drape covering the head and bust in bronze. The plaque reads "Though they are gone, their impressions remain" as a dedication to the those affiliated with the university that have passed away. Just south of there is another Langland piece, (c) Crossroads. This two piece sculpture depicts a man and woman standing upon their own pedestals with a ribbon flowing between them. The sculpture was created in 2003 and is the centerpiece of a fountain which has caused the male figure to accumulate some build up on the back of his leg. Heading further south is a third Langland piece. This one is a rare abstract done by the sculptor. (d) Ring Ribbons II is the oldest sculpture on campus created in 1973. This appears to be made of steel since it is showing signs of rust upon the column and sculpture alike. Near the entrance to the library, an untitled sculpture (e) is found. Although I couldn't find any information about the piece, it is interesting with its bright red pained steel abstract form that rests on four support legs as it rises like a column. I'm not sure it isn't something created by an engineering student since there appears to be many forms jutting out from the central column. One of the newest pieces of public art on campus is the beautiful bronze sculpture by one of the art instructors Dora Natella. Located outside the music hall of Northside Hall is (f) Euterpe's Gift which was created in 2016 and dedicated in 2017. This bronze of a woman holds a lyre with both hands above her head. She is garbed in a green full length gown and the lyre appears to be made of gold. Euturpe is one of Zeus' daughters who are known as the seven muses. Euturpe is known as the "giver of delight" and is the muse of lyric poetry. And finally, to the south end of Northside Hall is another of Natella's sculptures, (g) Gaia. This bronze stands nearly 11' in height and was created in 2000 for display at Navy Pier in Chicago. The sculpture shows two female figures splitting from one with reeds rising from around the legs and up between the two halves. The artist wanted the sculpture to be a tribute to the Earth Mother goddess and as a symbol of the current state of the planet. Although the campus has chosen to use only a few artists in its collection, the quality of the pieces is both interesting and beautiful. If you are in the area, this is a beautiful self-guided tour of campus that you can enjoy. Review #3102

In 2004, this mini park/plaza was rededicated as Jon Hunt Memorial Plaza to honor a man who had…read moreserved the city for 28 years. Located across from the Morris Performing Arts Center, the plaza is all that is left of a failed downtown shopping mall. Now, the plaza has brick paths that wander through the trees and gardens. There is a fountain directly across the street from the arts center. There is a plaza within the park that is also paved with bricks and has picnic tables for folks downtown to take a break or enjoy a meal. And the park area has four public art installations: Violin Woman by Harold Tuck Langland 1982 City Garden by Richard Peterman 2011 Guitar Man by Richard Peterman 2009 and Trilithon by Robert Kuntz 1974 The art is quite diverse and yet it fits in nicely with the gardens and fountain. It is just a well kept, relaxing space for visitors to enjoy. Review #3106

No, your eyes didn't deceive you. The map shows this piece of art sitting in the middle of the St…read moreJoe River! And with construction on the east side of the river limiting the viewing options, I had to resort checking it out from behind the Century Center. This piece is huge! Over 30' in height and made with bright orange I-beams, you will easily recognize the piece when you find it. I love the location of the piece as well. There is an angled dam in the river with this piece sitting on the corner so there is a water fall coming off two sides of the sculpture. The piece was installed way back in 1980 and is the work of artist Mark diSuvero. He named the piece after the English translation of the tribe name Potawatomi, the Native Americans who had lived here before the arrival of European Americans. What may not be obvious because of its size is that this is a kinetic sculpture that responds to the wind. I don't know how much wind it takes, but that is what it is supposed to do. Review #3105

Theodore M. Hesburgh Library is an Architectural beauty to me. It's a landmark building that…read moreappears in lots of photos of the University of Notre Dame Campus. I'm one of the parents who enjoys visiting the library on any campus. For me the most significant thing about the library is the name. Hesburgh was the driving force that led the way in making Notre Dame a coeducational institution. Thank you Father Hesburgh! Five Stars it is.

I'd like to give the Hesburgh Library five stars just because of Touchdown Jesus, but I've got some…read moretheological problems with the mural. No, I don't have a problem with Jesus, but while The Word of Life (the mural's actual title) is interesting, there are no women depicted in it. Kind of strange considering the facts that more than half the people in the world are women, many of the most important figures in the Bible are women, human life isn't possible without women, and Notre Dame's name translates into the University of Our Lady of the Lake. The library itself is magnificent. I don't really like its blockishness, but then I don't like most of the architecture on Notre Dame's campus. But the collection of books is impressive, and it's really easy to find what you're looking for. I also love the fact that anyone can just walk into the library and use it. This isn't the case at most university libraries these days, even public ones, and that's a shame. When I was a grad student at Notre Dame, I loved the fact that I could check out an almost unlimited number of books indefinitely. (There might have literally been no time limit.) I always thought this was strange, as it seemed to be an easy way to steal books. When I asked a friend who worked at the library, she said that the stacks literally weren't large enough to hold all the books, so the university would rather that a large number were checked out at any one time. I know I had some books in my house for almost the entire time I was a student. There are also some really greats views from the top floors of the library. I used to love the basement, but when they renovated it, they took away all its old character. I realize that some people like shiny marble inlaid with university seals, but I'm a less flashy guy, and I loved how the old basement felt like a 1950s-era British train station, complete with banks of phone booths and vending machines that had old sandwiches. The library's grounds are also home to dozens of really cute chipmunks (one of which once made me brake hard and fly into a hedge to avoid running it over on my bike); the First Down Moses statue (complete with horns!); and a reflecting pool, which I really used to like until I found out they use blue food coloring to make the water look deep. (It's actually only a few inches, so don't ever try to dive into it.) The ducks that swim in the pool all look like they've just eaten a Slurpee; their tongues are stained blue from the food coloring. They drain the reflecting pool during the winter, and it can be a little bit dangerous when it's surrounded by snow and you don't realize the lip is there. But I really do love the Hesburgh Library, and especially in the winter, it was nice not to have to walk far from Malloy Hall to here to grab some books before crunch-crunching home through the snow.

A powerful and moving statue that captures the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his impact…read moreon civil rights. The presence of the second figure adds to the symbolism of unity, justice, and the ongoing fight for equality. It's a beautiful, peaceful spot to reflect and teach younger generations about the struggle for freedom. Worth the visit and definitely photo-worthy!

Directly across Main Street from the county court house is a beautiful brick plaza that was…read moredeveloped as part of an office bldg/medical clinic/health club/parking garage complex back in 1999. To look at it, you would think it was brand new! The plaza during my visit was spotless and looked like a great place for folks downtown to enjoy a lunch or escape from the office. The open space could be used for public gatherings as well. There is a fountain at the bend in this L-shaped plaza. Ornate patterns are inlaid in the brick and gardens/planters line the edges. The space is a breath of fresh air in the downtown area. One of the special features of the plaza is located on the west entrance. We Shall Overcome by local artist Harold Tuck Langland (2017) is a life sized bronze commemorating the moment in 1964 when Dr Martin Luther King, Jr and Fr Theodore Hesburgh (Notre Dame) joined hands at Soldier Field in Chicago as a sign of unity in the civil rights movement. Visitors are invited to join hands with the sculpture for photos. Review #3107

Grotto of the Lady of Lourdes is a historic college landmark. I've been to the University of Notre…read moreDame on many occasions over the years. I've also visited during every season of the year. I'm not sure I would return in the winter as it is brutal weather. I always visit the grotto when I tour the campus. Naturally I light a candle for my hearts desire at the time I visit. I remember praying for my daughter to get a job when she graduated! The story of the miracle at the grotto is one of my favorites. If you're interested they made a movie. It's called The Song of Bernadette. One of my favorite religious films. Visiting the Grotto is always a Five Star Experience for me as is any place on the University of Notre Dame Campus.

If you are in the area, make sure to stop and check out the grotto at ND, it's a beautiful place…read more It's fashioned after the grotto in Lourdes, and is a place that I think all faiths could visit. Stop here to pray, and make sure that you light a candle as well, there are also prayer services.

Super cool place, great service, beers and food. Bought a shirt, glad to advertise! Highly…read morerecommend!

Stopped in for a little after work appetizer. The food was…read moregreat service was great and of course the atmosphere was wonderful

What a great little spot! Online, I wasn't sure whether I was reading about a consortium of artists…read morethat took up a whole building, or five separate businesses, or what. It turns out to be one compact, very cool space offering new and collectible goods from a variety of artists and dealers. The tile art was lovely, as was all the original art. But my soft spot is eclectic antiques and retro stuff, and wow, is this perfect for that. Not a massive collection but an impressive one - including a complete fire-engine-red collection of old luggage to die for (I'm a tourist - if you're a local, I left it there for you!). Jewelry, scarves, kid furniture, shoes, ceramics. Nothing overpriced. Short walk from downtown - just over the river and a couple blocks east. I made a nice little afternoon of it, stopping here, then an hour at the Cat Lady Cafe loving up the kitties, then a browse at Fire Arts. Lovely way to spend some hours and only a modest amount of cash. So worth your time!

From the owner: CircaArts Gallery, a sophisticated yet approachable gallery, represents local artists with an…read moreemphasis on Arts & Crafts Artisans (as in Frank Lloyd Wright). We also specialized in decorative tiles, including Pewabic and Motawi as well as local tilemakers like Stone Circle Arts, Aveo Tiles and Ziggurat Tiles.

123 year old monument to Civil War veterans. Incredible little piece of history that still stands…read moretoday.

To look at the Soldiers & Sailors Monument now, you might think it looks a lot like the monument in…read moreIndy. The reason is that back in 1903, sculptor Rudolf Schwarz created the five bronzes for this monument after having completed many of the bronzes down in Indy. You might also think that this monument must have been here for over a hundred years. But it wasn't. It was originally located on the south east corner of the courthouse and was dismantled in 1967. After sitting in storage for five years, the monument was reconstructed at this location and dedicated in 1973. The bronzes that you see include a 10' flag bearer on top, and statues of Infantry, Artillery, Cavalry, and Navy on a lower ring. When this monument was reconstructed, it displaced the miniature bronze Statue of Liberty that was built in 1951 as part of a Boy Scouts of America program. There are six of these mini statues around northern Indiana. The South Bend mini was moved to the east side of the courthouse. This is one of many stylish memorials erected over 100 years ago that commemorates those who fought to save the Union. South Bend's is in remarkable condition and is worth visiting the next time you are downtown. Review #3108