"Golden Squirrel's Wondrous World," by Michael Stutz is now located at the roundabout at Butler Market Road, Empire Avenue and 27th Street.

Bend received its 23rd roundabout art installation last week.

“Golden Squirrel’s Wondrous World,” by Michael Stutz, was installed at the roundabout at Butler Market Road, Empire Avenue and 27th Street, according to a press release.

The 24-foot sculpture features a rolling wheel framed by woven steel with a golden squirrel perched on top. The steel is evocative of the timber mills of Bend’s past and the wheel, composed of blue and green bronze strips, echoes the rolling wheels of cars and the hamster wheel of daily life.

“This sculpture playfully celebrates the region’s connection to nature and the familiar routine of people’s daily lives,” Stutz said.

New paint for “Red Sides”

Additionally, the roundabout sculpture at Colorado Avenue and Simpson Avenue will soon receive a facelift. The red accents on each fish of “Red Sides” by Miles Pepper will be repainted with an industrial coating with a 20-year warranty. The project will be paid for by the City of Bend’s conservation budget for its public art collection.

“Red Sides” is expected to be reinstalled by the end of November.

The sculptures on Bend’s Roundabout Art Route are commissioned and paid for by Art in Public Places with support from community donations and the Bend Foundation, without the use of tax dollars.

Discover the history behind Bend’s roundabout art