Mike Hollern Sculpture

New sculpture adds dash to trail

There's "a wonderful new sculpture on River's Edge Trail" that depicts area grain fields, according to trail backer Doug Wicks of Great Falls

It's called "Crop Circles," and it was dreamed up, built and installed by Great Falls artist Mike Hollern as a donation to the trail and the community.

Hollern said he has long admired the work of Wicks, "so last fall I decided that it was about time that I donated a sculpture to the trail." His work was done in memory of his parents and their generation.

"All of the larger rocks in the project I harvest from piles that have accumulated in coulees where farmers have dumped them over the years," Hollern wrote in a statement describing his project.

You can find Hollern's sculpture on the trail alongside River Road North, on the north bank of the Missouri River between the 10th and 15th Street bridges. Motorists can view it from River Road North, but the best view is from the recreational trail.

Wicks said Hollern devoted a week to preparing the site for the sculpture.

"Crop Circles" is among a growing number of works of art along the trail.