Ralph Moose by Martha Pettigrew, of Lincoln, Nebraska, is one of eight new sculptures placed in West Twin Park, Webster City, in May by Arts R Alive in Webster City, Iowa. Arts R Alive's annual Art in the Park sculpture party is Thursday at 5:30 p.m. in West Twin Park, which is at the corner of Superior and Bank streets.

When Arts R Alive was invited to join the consortium SculptureOne, its members welcomed the opportunity.

What that meant was that the group that brings outdoor sculpture to West Twin Park in Webster City would have access to a broader choice of impressive work, support from both the consortium’s leader, Jim Clark, and other consortium members, and an increased prominence in the growing world of using outdoor sculpture to enhance local communities.

Janet Adams, president of the Arts R Alive in Webster City, Iowa — the 501(c)3’s official name — had long wished for that invitation from SculptureOne. When the call came late last year, she pounced.

“They really do have a system that helps bring better art to the community,” she said.

She would know. Her son, Iowa sculptor Tim Adams, of Webster City, had long talked about how SculptureOne had helped him place and, in some cases, sell his work.

This year, when Arts R Alive hosts its 13th annual Sculpture in the Park event, patrons will see art brought to town through the auspices of SculptureOne.

The event is Aug.3 at 5:30 p.m. at West Twin Park, which is at the corner of Superior and Bank streets in Webster City. Music will be provided by Jive For Five. This is a free event. Note: You might want to bring a lawn chair.

Some of the sculptures are for sale.

Clark, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, came with this year’s artists to install the sculptures in early May. Afterwards, Arts R Alive hosted a reception for the artists and some supporters at Wildcat Distiller in downtown Webster City.

SculptureOne’s partner network is with three other cities: Mason City and its organization Sculptures on Parade; Mankato, Minnesota, and its organization Walking Sculpture Trail; and Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and its organization Sculpture Trail.

“By partnering with this group of cities, Arts R Alive will have the opportunity to select sculptures from their programs and enjoy all the other benefits of their programs,” Adams said last winter. “Arts R Alive will have access to several high quality sculptures which will be rotated between the four cities.”

This year’s artists are Jeff Satter, of Sioux Falls, S.D., with his works Gem and Oculus; Jim Green, of Hermosa, S.D., with his work, Rook Roost; Tim Adams, of Webster City, with two works: Asteria and Dragon; Sherri Treeby and Lee Leuning, of Aberdeen, S.D., with their work Summer Distractions; Martha Pettigrew, of Lincoln, Neb., with her work Ralph Moose; and Greg Mendez, of Decatur, Ind., with his work Resplendent Ardor.

Arts R Alive pays a $1,100 stipend to each artist for the use of a work.

The sculpture in the park can be viewed during regular park hours.

For videos of the installation and more about Arts R Alive in Webster City, Iowa, check out its Facebook page.