Valentine’s Day, Leftover Snow, & Public Art
Valentine’s Day, 2026, Kelsey and I walked out of Coco Cuisine, formerly known as Coco Hot Pot. Our bellies were full and our warm, jackets were zipped tight, batteries set to full heat. We exited the warm restroom into a brisk Dublin early evening. The world was hushed painted in muted shades of grays and not quite whites. Our next destination after we stop and get Mochi Ring Donuts is M.L. Red Tribune Nature Reserve. Here we will see the newest piece in Dublin’s Art in Public Places collection, The Boat in the Field by Ilan Averbuch. This sculpture, standing before a 25-foot skeletal stone boat floating over the pond, felt like a moment that deserves pause. A quiet respect for the artist without whose hands masterpieces like this would never exist.
The Program: Dublin’s Art in Public Places
Dublin’s Art in Public Places program began in 1988. The first sculpture, Leatherlips, was installed in 1990. Since then, the city has curated over 77 permanent, temporary, and interactive art installations. Each one weaves art, history, environment, and imagination into public spaces. The program emphasizes community, culture, and accessibility, bringing art out of galleries and into parks, streets, and boardwalks. Dublin Art.
Some Dublin Art Exhibits Already Seen:
Leather-lips
Carved in limestone and honoring a Wyandot leader, Leatherlips was one of the first installations in Dublin’s collection. Its presence marks the city’s commitment to remembering local Indigenous history while creating spaces for reflection.
Field of Cornl
Installed in 1994, this iconic work features 109 upright concrete ears of corn in neat rows. It pays tribute to Dublin’s agricultural heritage and is the first of Dublin’s public art exhibits I got to experience. Rows upon rows of concrete corn standing stubborn against the wind. Which was playful and monumental both in experience and memory.
Dwelling: A Snail’s Journeys, Sanguine Standing Stone, and Jaunty Hornbeam
All Located At 7125 Riverside Drive, The Dublin Arts Council. Dwelling: A snail’s Journey was my favorite. A whimsical snail sculpture joins a small group of public artworks, unconnected other than by location. The playfully designed orange snail contrasts the solemnity of some other works at this location. Showing that Dublin, Ohio’s art collection isn’t just for contemplation. It is for delight, curiosity, and joy.
Watch House & Circle Mound
This interactive sculpture was designed and situated in order to reveal different aspects of itself slowly as the viewer walks up to and inside the artwork. Todd Slaughter the artist wanted this mound, house, and wildflower circle to act as a contemplative space. A smaller more casual escape from the group activities at the Coffman Recreation Center. Which sits at the opposite side of Indian Run Stream.
The Boat in the Field
This sculpture was installed in 2022 at M.L. Red Tribune Nature Reserve. The Boat in the Field is a 25-foot skeletal structure which appears as if it hovers or floats above the pond.
The sculpture combines steel, limestone, and recycled granite. Salvaged granite from St. John’s Cathedral steps in Cleveland, cut and shaped to fit Averbuch’s vision. He describes his work as recycling images and materials, moving them from one time to another, and letting history and imagination coexist in tangible forms.
The nature reserve itself is a small treasure. Its boardwalks offer fishing spots, seasonal wildlife, benches to rest, and scenic views. A local artist box placed just behind the sculpture next to the path. These regularly feature art supplies and guides by local artists, allowing the space for learning, loving, and evolving.
Mid-February Evening Stroll
Walking this loop on Valentine’s Day as puddles formed in some of the melting snow. While other spots crunched beneath our winter shoes. The chilled air nipped at the tips of our fingers and noses. Thankfully we remained toasty warm, for the most part, with our bellies still full from dinner. The unmelted white snow surrounding made the sculpture feel magical. The early evening, the cool-calm, and the quiet all combined to make a memorable moment of art, nature, silent respect and shared connection.
SOME Dublin Art I Still NEED to See:
The Dublin Arts Council’s outdoor art exhibits stretch far beyond what we have already seen. Some pieces I plan to visit include:
- Out of Bounds – Seven 10-foot soccer balls at Avery Park
- Exuvia – Mirrored human figures in Coffman Park
- Injection – Bronze and stone sculpture near Dublin Community Recreation Center
- Feather Point – Permanent installation at Thaddeus Kosciuszko Park
With 77 total installations it feels likes there is always something more to discover. Each visit offers something new: a park, a sculpture, an art box, or even a memory.
Why Dublin’s Public Art Matters
These aren’t just sculptures dropped into public space. No, they are goals, stories, artworks, memories, and dreams. Each piece interacts with the environment and community individually. While inviting attention, reflection, and conversation. Sculptures that can turn everyday walks into journeys, and everyday places into shared experiences.
Support Local Artists & Creatives
From Chief Leather lips to meat addition the hovering Boat in the Field, Dublin’s public art collection is a living, breathing gallery. Valentine’s Day early evening art walks, after dinner, with Kelsey through a moment of wonder. I’ll return for the rest. Dublin’s public art invites all to see, think, and feel, one sculpture at a time.
Check out this art! Do you like your art recycled or not?
Say it. Don’t spray it.