SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – For over 20 years, one local photographer continues to capture the legacy of the downtown Sioux Falls SculptureWalk.

When the SculptureWalk first began in 2003, photographer Paul Schiller volunteered to take photos of sculptures. But today, Schiller said he has about 1258 photos of all the sculptures that have been placed in Sioux Falls since the SculptureWalk’s creation.

Photographer Paul Schiller has photographed the Sioux Falls SculptureWalk since its beginning in 2003.

“22 years ago, we didn’t have any of this,” Schiller said. “I see with what’s happening now with SculptureWalk, there’s going to be other kinds of art that’s going to continue to build this community into quite an enriching environment.”

This year, Schiller’s honored for his service, as the SculptureWalk board announced the very first Schiller Champion Award, an award for the lasting impact on the arts community and SculptureWalk itself.

Wildlife basks amid quartzite at Arrowhead Park

Schiller and his wife, Koni, are the first recipients of the award.

“We were taken aback,” Schiller said. “With what we’ve been doing, it’s been fun- and not realizing that the impact that we were having as a whole. It was quite an honor to be recognized.”

Schiller said the SculptureWalk revitalized downtown Sioux Falls, and “there’s no question about it.”

“25 years ago, the Pavilion had just opened. We didn’t have SculptureWalk. We didn’t have the Levitt. We didn’t have the arc of dreams, the State Theater- and the Orpheum theaters were shuttered,” Schiller said. “Now, if that were the case today, it would be pretty dull around here. As a result, we see how art as a whole is enriching our community and engaging people, and it is a very positive outcome.”

Schiller said Sioux Falls is the city of sculpture, in a state of sculpture — from Mount Rushmore to Dignity to the Arc of Dreams.

“I really encourage the next generation… to get engaged and have fun, because that’s what it’s all about,” Schiller said. “You really get to meet great people, you get to see great art. It’s stimulating.”

All 80 sculptures captured and collected by Paul Schiller in photos for the 2025 SculptureWalk.

The 2025 SculptureWalk exhibit features 80 sculptures, placed throughout downtown Sioux Falls and other high-traffic areas. The sculpture’s photos on the SculptureWalk website were taken by Schiller.

Sculptures can be found around downtown Sioux Falls, including Eastbank, Cherapa area, and the Steel District. Additionally, seven sculptures are placed in the Cathedral District, between 10th and 6th streets along Duluth Avenue. A map of each sculpture placement can be found on the SculptureWalk website.

Schiller said he’s excited about one new feature to some sculptures: they’ll be lit up at night.

Schiller said his photos of the “UnDeciduous” sculpture show the differences of night and day, as the sculpture fills the gap between the Arc of Dreams. During the day, the “UnDeciduous” sculpture sits unlit, just like the Arc of Dreams. But at night, solar panels power the “UnDeciduous” sculpture to light up, according to Schiller, which gives the sculpture a redish tint.

“It gets very inventive,” Schiller said.

Schiller said he doesn’t have a favorite sculpture, but he has a favorite experience every year: watching families engage with the sculptures.

“Especially that first Saturday that everything is installed, engage the art,” Schiller said. “It becomes their buddy, it’s their new toy, if you will. And they get introduced to art, in many cases, for the first time.”