Citygarden

801 Market St, St. Louis, MO 63101, USA

Reaching skyward, this monumentally-sized bronze Pinocchio graces downtown St. Louis. “Citygarden” takes up a couple of blocks and is dotted with sculptures of various styles in a garden setting—popular with office workers on their lunch breaks and families alike. Although the wooden-boy-who-lied might seem like an unlikely art subject, its artist Jim Dine says that “the idea of a talking stick becoming a boy [is] like a metaphor for art, and it’s the ultimate alchemical transformation.” I can’t help but find some political commentary as well, though, in the placement of this statue—with the Civil courts building on one end of the park, and the Old Courthouse on the other (site of the pre-Civil-War era Dred Scott case), the proverbial nose-that-grows might well belong in this urban corridor of trials, attorneys, and witnesses. (The proper and full name of this sculpture is Big White Gloves, Big Four Wheels— you can’t see it in the photo, but Pinocchio is standing on a wheeled cart.)

More Recommendations

Unlikely Art: Pinocchio in Downtown St. Louis

Reaching skyward, this monumentally-sized bronze Pinocchio graces downtown St. Louis. “Citygarden” takes up a couple of blocks and is dotted with sculptures of various styles in a garden setting—popular with office workers on their lunch breaks and families alike. Although the wooden-boy-who-lied might seem like an unlikely art subject, its artist Jim Dine says that “the idea of a talking stick becoming a boy [is] like a metaphor for art, and it’s the ultimate alchemical transformation.” I can’t help but find some political commentary as well, though, in the placement of this statue—with the Civil courts building on one end of the park, and the Old Courthouse on the other (site of the pre-Civil-War era Dred Scott case), the proverbial nose-that-grows might well belong in this urban corridor of trials, attorneys, and witnesses. (The proper and full name of this sculpture is Big White Gloves, Big Four Wheels— you can’t see it in the photo, but Pinocchio is standing on a wheeled cart.)

A Garden of Sculpture in St. Louis

Within downtown’s Gateway Mall heading west you will find Citygarden, a recreational sculpture park. Three water features include a 34-foot fountain and a long narrow split basin with a waterfall. Enjoy the popular spray plaza with over one hundred vertical jets, inviting adults and children alike to wander among the eight-foot jets. Sculptures are located throughout the park, and a large video wall projects people and activities within the garden (unless a Cardinal baseball game is being shown). For a self-guided tour, I recommend downloading the Citygarden app, which provides a walking map identifying the three fountains, the sculptures, and plantings.

Information on this page, including website, location, and opening hours, is subject to have changed since this page was last published. If you would like to report anything that’s inaccurate, let us know at notification@afar.com.

Nearby highlights
Sign up for our newsletter
Join more than a million of the world’s best travelers. Subscribe to the Daily Wander newsletter.
More From AFAR