Best of the Chippewa Valley

Reader Polls

The Best of the Chippewa Valley 2022

The Best of the Chippewa Valley 2023

The Best of the Chippewa Valley 2024

Best Public Art Installation (non-gallery)

Sculpture Tour Eau Claire once again took first place as Best Public Art Installation, as this annual exhibit promotes tourism, encourages viewers to get outside and walk or bike to see the unique pieces, builds community pride, and promotes artists. A blast from the past hit town last year with Dave Lewis’ 14-piece metal dinosaur collection, titled “Scraposaurs.” They were placed at Artisan Forge, but just like their prehistoric predecessors, these dinosaurs migrate around town from time to time. Teenage chalk artist Henry Loomis has been busy creating small masterpieces around the Third Ward. Dubbed “Third Ward Banksy” and “Connoisseur of Concrete,” Loomis made his neighbors happy during quarantine by giving them fun surprises around the neighborhood to enjoy. — Diana Peterson