For the Love of Art – North Central Kansas Road Trip

By Abilene CVB on January 26, 2022

for_the_love_of_art-Abilene,KS.png

Abilene, Kansas, located along Eisenhower’s Interstate 70 in North Central, Kansas is home to a great arts scene. From murals of all types and sizes to traditional and innovative statues and, of course, the five-star Great Plains Theatre, art lovers of all ages will love their visit to Abilene.

  • Great Plains Theatre - Abilene, KS

    Great Plains Theatre

    Take in a show at the only professional live theatre between Denver and Kansas City on I-70.

    Read more

  • World's-Largest-Belt-Buckle-Abilene,Kansas

    World's Largest Belt Buckle

    At 19 feet 10 ½ inches wide and 13 feet 11 ¼ inches tall (not including the frame), Abilene, Kansas, is now home to the World’s Largest Belt Buckle. 

    Read more

  • The-Abilene-Cowboy-Abilene,KS

    The Abilene Cowboy

    Installed in early 2020, The Abilene Cowboy is a one-of-a-kind piece of art. It stands more than 15 feet tall and weighs more than one ton.  Artists: Jason Lahr and Donnie Knauss Read more

    Read more

  • Big-Spur-Abilene,KS

    Big Spur

    At 28 feet high, the big spur stands on its ends to form an arch and weighs a ton. It was built by Larry Houston in 2002 and was certified as the World's Largest Spur by Guinness World Records until...

    Read more

  • Jeffcoat-Photography-Studio-Museum-Abilene,KS

    Jeffcoat Photography Studio Museum

    The Jeffcoat Photography Studio Museum features a unique look at the history of Abilene and Dickinson County, Kansas through the photographic work of the Jeffcoat Photography Studio. Operating since...

    Read more

  • Benjamin-Franklin-Abilene,KS

    Abilene Public Library / Carnegie Library

    Statues grace the front lawn of the Abilene Public Library, including a special statue of Benjamin Franklin.

    Read more

  • Hickok-Mural-Abilene,KS

    Wild Bill Hickok Mural

    Paying respects to Abilene's famous former town Marshal, Wild Bill Hickok, this mural was completed in 2018 by local artist William Counter. 

    Read more

  • Eisenhower-Mural-Abilene,KS

    Dwight D. Eisenhower Mural

    Local artist William Counter completed this digitized Eisenhower mural in 2007. Due to deterioration, this mural was replaced with a new "Ike Wins" Mural in November 2022.

    Read more

  • Abilene, Kansas - Mural

    Abilene Mural

    Graffiti artist, Whitney Kerr, completed this vintage postcard-inspired mural in downtown Abilene. Each letter depicts an important part of Abilene's history. A: The National Greyhound Association...

    Read more

  • I-Like-Ike-Murals-Abilene,KS

    I Like Ike Murals

    On June 4, 1952, then-General Dwight D. Eisenhower announced in his hometown of Abilene that he was running for president of the United States.

    Read more

  • Ike-Wins-Abilene,KS

    Ike Wins

    "Ike Wins" by artist William Counter, completed on November 5, 2022 - 70 years to the date that his win made Abilene Reflector front page news - a historic moment in Abilene. A total of nine out of...

    Read more

  • Barn-Quilt-Old-Abilene-Town-Abilene,KS

    Eisenhower Barn Quilt Trail

    Driving through the countryside anywhere in the world you will likely come across many barns.  They drape the country in many designs, colors, and architecture.  Some barns are painted to display...

    Read more

  • Ike's-Galaxy-Cowboy-Boot-Abilene,KS.jpeg

    "Ike's Galaxy" Cowboy Boot

    Visit Abilene, Kansas and experience its unique Cowboy Art Trail!  Celebrating its cowboy roots, the Cowboy Boot project pays homage to T.C. McInerney's Drovers Boot Store from the 1870s.

    Read more

  • Bison_Mural_Abilene_KS

    American Bison Stamp Mural

    The American Bison is featured on this special 6 cent stamp postmarked from Abilene and completed by local artist William Counter. 

    Read more

  • Sunflower-Stamp-Mural-Abilene,KS

    Sunflower Stamp Mural

    This stamp was issued in 1961 to celebrate Kansas' centennial and was completed by local artist William Counter. 

    Read more

  • Longhorn-Mural-Abilene,KS

    Longhorn Mural

    Another Whitney Kerr original, this mural is located in front of Abilene Middle School. 

    Read more

  • History of Farming in Dickinson County-Boot-Abilene,KS

    "History of Farming in Dickinson County" Cowboy Boot

    Visit Abilene, Kansas and experience its unique Cowboy Art Trail!  Celebrating its cowboy roots, the Cowboy Boot project pays homage to T.C. McInerney's Drovers Boot Store from the 1870s.

    Read more

  • Rose-Garden-Cowboy-Boot-Abilene,KS

    "Rose Garden" Cowboy Boot

    Visit Abilene, Kansas and experience its unique Cowboy Art Trail!  Celebrating its cowboy roots, the Cowboy Boot project pays homage to T.C. McInerney's Drovers Boot Store from the 1870s.

    Read more

  • Train-Mural-Abilene,KS

    Train Mural

    Celebrating Abilene's days as a Chisholm Trail cowtown, this mural by graffiti artist Whitney Kerr, pays homage to the railroad, which carried hundreds of thousands of head of cattle to eastern...

    Read more

  • Wild-Bill-Hickok-Cowboy-Boot-Abilene,KS

    "Wild Bill Hickok" Cowboy Boot

    Visit Abilene, Kansas and experience its unique Cowboy Art Trail!  Celebrating its cowboy roots, the Cowboy Boot project pays homage to T.C. McInerney's Drovers Boot Store from the 1870s.

    Read more

While in North Central Kansas, make sure to check out these other art destinations.

1. Clay Center

Following Abilene’s lead, Clay Center is embracing the mural movement. Keep your eyes open, you never know where you'll spot a mural!

Learn more

2. Concordia

See the Whole Wall Mural – the longest sculpted brick mural in the US. Make sure to check out the statues commemorating the Orphan Train.

Learn more 

3. Cawker City 

No Kansas road trip would be complete without a stop and the iconic World's Largest Ball of Sisal Twine!

Learn more

4. Lucas

The Grassroots Art Capital of Kansas, you never know what you’ll find in Lucas. From America's Most Artistic Giant Toilet to the Garden of Eden, the Grassroots Arts Center and the Wold's Largest Collection of the World's Smallest Things, art is everywhere in Lucas!

Learn more 

5. Salina

Downtown Salina is home to a great variety of sculptures. Each year, between 15-25 sculptures are selected and carefully sited in historic Salina. Take a stroll through downtown and admire these great pieces of art!
Learn more