Located in Mercy Park at 2730 St. John’s Blvd. in Joplin, Missouri, the Sculpture Garden is the result of positive effort following a devastating event, and an individual vision that found common, collective footing. The momentum to bring the Rotary Clubs of Joplin Sculpture Garden from concept to reality came in 2018 through a joint agreement by both Joplin Rotary clubs; the Rotary Club of Joplin and the Daybreak Rotary, along with a partnership with the City of Joplin. The Sculpture Garden which features sculptures exists to enhance the quality of life within our community. A board of directors, with representation from both Joplin Rotary clubs, members of Joplin’s arts community, City of Joplin staff, and other members of the community, has created a strategic plan to guide activities, develop and implement fund-raising, sculpture criteria and selection, installation and display requirements, and fiscal management and long-term maintenance. Rotary Sculpture Garden Inc. is a Missouri not-for-profit 501(c)3 corporation. In October of 2019, the initial 9 bronze sculptures were installed. In 2020 and 2021 three sculptures were added each year. Today, the Garden has 16 sculptures on permanent display by 8 different world-renowned artists. Mercy Park, designed as a 16-acre passive park, is part of the City of Joplin’s Parks inventory. Amenities include accessible sidewalks, a public restroom, two picnic pavilions, a pond with fountain features, and murals. Mercy Park sits on the location where St. John’s Regional Medical Center had been since 1968 and was destroyed by the May 22, 2011, EF-5 tornado which crossed one-third of the city. The Park is adjoined to the south by the Mercy Chapel Park and to the north by Cunningham Park; the area is considered ground-zero for that epic event in the Joplin’s history. The sculpture garden is open to the public during normal park hours from sunrise to 11:00 p.m.
Board Members of Rotary Sculpture Garden, Inc
Robert Headlee – Chairman
Cleo Copeland – Vice Chairman
Barbara Hicklin – Treasurer
Wally Bloss – Secretary
Sharon Beshore
Lori Marble
Bruce Secrist
Ryan Stanley
David Glenn
Patrick Tuttle
Paul Bloomberg
About Rotary
Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.
What we do
Rotary members believe that we have a shared responsibility to take action on our world’s most persistent issues. Our 35,000+ clubs work together to:
- Promote peace
- Fight disease
- Provide clean water, sanitation, and hygiene
- Save mothers and children
- Support education
- Grow local economies
- Protecting the Environment
Rotary International’s Mission
We provide service to others, promote integrity, and advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace through our fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders.
The Four-Way Test
The Four-Way Test is a nonpartisan and nonsectarian ethical guide for Rotarians to use for their personal and professional relationships. The test has been translated into more than 100 languages, and Rotarians recite it at club meetings: Of the things we think, say or do 1. Is it the TRUTH? 2. Is it FAIR to all concerned? 3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? 4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?
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