$32,000 Sculpture Stolen from Downtown Sioux Falls SculptureWalk

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - A sculpture worth $32,000 has been stolen from downtown Sioux Falls.

The bronze piece, called “Day’s Catch,” sat at 11th and Phillips as part of the Sioux Falls SculptureWalk. It depicts a girl with a fishing pole.

Police spokesperson Sam Clemens said that someone with the SculptureWalk organization was performing a regular check of the SculptureWalk pieces around noon on Monday when they noticed “Day’s Catch” was missing. Sioux Falls police are investigating.

“Day’s Catch” is one of a record 69 sculptures on this year’s walk, and was sculpted by artist Bobby Carlyle of Loveland, Colorado.

It is the second statue that has been stolen from the walk in 2022. The first one, back in May, was recovered.

“It’s very frustrating to have any kind of damage happen to the sculpture while they are down here,” Downtown SculptureWalk board member Jim Mathis told Dakota News Now.

“The artists are entrusting us with their work, and we have to see anything happen to them. People come down here year-round to enjoy the beauty of this artwork. And something happens and people just can’t see it anymore.”

Mathis says if “Day’s Catch” isn’t found, then his committee would have to cover with insurance, which would cost them $2,500.

“I’m sure that no one understands just how valuable these pieces of art are, or how much time and sweat and tears the artist put into these things. So, it really breaks my heart when something happens to one of them.”

If you have seen “Day’s Catch,” or know where it is, call crime stoppers at 605-367-7007.