New art adorned downtown, Newkirk Pathway

Press Release

NEWKIRK — New art adorns the Newkirk Downtown District and Newkirk Pathway as Newkirk High School student Ethan Rhea has completed a piece of art for downtown, using bicycle rims donated by Spoke ‘N Things in Arkansas City.

The rims were different metals, so he painted, arranged and pop riveted the rims together to make the recycled art piece. He entitled the piece “Cyclepath.”

The art was installed in the window of the Cory building, 127 N. Main, where Stranz & Tanz salon was previously located. The artwork is on the Newkirk Pathway that, when completed, will be Newkirk’s Fitness Path.

Many thanks go to Kim Swopes, owner of the building, for the opportunity to show this original art piece in the window.

According to “Newkirk Carved in Stone” by Karen Dye, unique features of the Cory building include the stone dentils, which embellish the entablature, the horizontal lintel at the top of the building. Florence J. Cory had the building constructed in 1901. At one time, Mrs. Endicott had a millinery and dress shop in this building. The upper level of this building is an apartment.

Take a walk along Main Street and check out the artwork.