The Ring Dance fountain in City Park, Appleton, Wisconsin
THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT KIDS and water on a hot summer day that brings joy and, for me, a longing for the carefree days of youth.
Perhaps that is why I am so drawn to a piece of art centering City Park in Appleton, Wisconsin. “Ring Dance,” created by internationally-acclaimed sculptor Dallas Anderson, a native of nearby Neenah, is a must-see for me nearly every time I visit Appleton.
On my most recent stop at the park on a hot and humid late July afternoon, I envied the cavorting carved kids cooling off in the fountain. And I envied the young women also cooling their heels in the water as they posed for bridal party photos.
Not wanting to interfere with the professional wedding photo shoot, I snapped a few quick shots and called it good. Typically I would take more care in composing images, but I wanted to be respectful.
I’m always curious about public art that draws me back repeatedly. This $483,000 sculpture, according to info I found online, was funded with private donations and was installed 20 years ago.
“Ring Dance” seems fitting for a wedding photo shoot. Here the couple poses near a massive round flowerbed in City Park.
I also learned of a Minnesota connection. Sculptor Dallas Anderson, who died in 2009, received his Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Olaf College in Northfield, 20 minutes from my home and 300 miles from Appleton. Interesting how life circles and connects…
TELL ME, do you have a favorite water fountain sculpture? I’d like to hear.
© Copyright 2016 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
You know I love the outdoor art like that as well and Ring Dance is amazing. I can almost hear the happy laughter and splashing sounds of the children depicted.
I wish more cities did the Sculpture Walk like Mason City and Mankato, to name two. It’s such a great way to get art to the public in an everyday sort of way.
Beautiful Captures and the Bride and Groom are blissing on young love and new adventures 🙂 I think about the Bellagio Fountains in Las Vegas and the Dolphin Fountain in Santa Barbara. I am drawn to water for some reason and now live less than 3 miles from the bay and beautiful beaches. Happy Day – Enjoy!
One more the Cherry on the Spoon at the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden.
And I’ve never even seen that…
Look up Cherry on the Spoon on the Internet and you can see pictures of it.
I agree in that the groom looks young, but anyone in their 20’s and early 30’s looks young to me – ha! I reflect back on our honeymoon and we looked so young and we married late; 29 & 31 years of age. I have a girlfriend like that who is in her 60’s and she looks like she is in her 40’s. Her mother recently passed and she was 90 and looked 70. Good genes!
Oh, I’ve seen many photos of Cherry on the Spoon, just not in person. I’ve always wondered what a cherry has to do with Minnesota, though.
I am a bit envious of your nearness to beautiful beaches.
The groom looks so incredibly young to me…what does that tell me?
Although it’s not a sculpture in a fountain, the Detroit Airport has a wonderful fountain that is always a joy to watch in such a busy place.
An airport would seem a really good place to place a fountain. Water soothes.
I Love outdoor art and this piece is beautiful. mayo clinic has several similar sculptures (fountains). When I get a chance I might have to see if its the same artist. My favorite outdoor sculptures are cerated by Spanish artist Jaume Piensa. Also, what a neat idea to have those bridesmaids dancing in front of the sculpture, make for a unique photo!
Sometime I must explore Rochester. Thanks for tipping me off to those Mayo Clinic art pieces.
I wished I could have taken more and better photos of the bridesmaids. But I didn’t want to interfere.
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Beautiful place for wedding photos
It’s truly a beautiful park for anything, and, yes, for wedding photos.
i am not familiar with this sculpture Ring Dance but I loved how whimsical it is and what a bonus for you having a wedding shot at that given moment. i was rather drawn to the sculpture piece and actually looked up some trivia on the piece and found this…
The sculpture depicts an ancient game, still played in parts of the world. It is meant to capture the natural innocence and fun-loving spirit of children, and speaks to the importance of the individual’s participation, cooperation and congeniality within the community. It symbolizes the quest for achievement through working in harmony.
Thanks for bringing public art to our attention.
I read that description also. Thanks for including it in your comment, Sue.