Look for new fun and interactive installations in public spaces!
Over the course of the next year, Downtown Louisville will host rotating art installations in public spaces across our Downtown core. Each piece is designed for a particular city or space, but after time, new art replaces those pieces to keep spaces engaging and available for new experiences. Once the initial commission is complete, other cities lease these one-of-a-kind works of art for more to enjoy. Created and installed by Austin-based LeMonde Studio, the company now transports the public art across the country for cities to enjoy.
Each public art installation will be on display for four to six weeks and are free and open to the public.
News
Learn more about Louisville Downtown Partnership’s temporary public art program on Spectrum News 1 below.
Light-up Star Sculpture Display
ON DISPLAY NOWÂ
through mid-February
Entrance of the Belvedere, 5th and Main streets
The new installation features five colorfully illuminated stars that double as benches, creating the perfect backdrop for a photo or a place to relax. Originally commissioned for the city of Montreal, the art display previously appeared on streets and parks in Milwaukee, WI and Hoboken, NJ.
PREVIOUS INSTALLATIONS
Holiday Nutcracker and Reindeer Display
ON DISPLAY NOW
from December – early January 2026
Humanaâs north plaza, 5th and Main streets
The interactive installation includes a towering 10-foot nutcracker complete with a music box featuring a hand crank that plays music from âThe Nutcrackerâ and a functional lever that opens and closes the nutcracker’s mouth. Two oversized reindeer accompany the display, offering festive photo opportunities for visitors. Originally created for Houston, the installation has also appeared in New York City and Vancouver.
Music-Themed Public Art Display
from mid-October – November
Plaza on Fourth, in the 200 block of S. 4th Street
The installation features three larger-than-life musical instruments: an oversized guitar and microphone, and an 18-foot-long guitar that doubles as a functional slide. Each piece is fully human-powered through hand cranks that play classic songs including âHound Dogâ by Elvis Presley, âRock Around the Clockâ by Bill Haley, and âI’m Still Standingâ by Elton John.
Multi-Platform Mushroom Art Display
September – mid-October
Waterfront Park, near intersection of E. Witherspoon St. and N. Brook St.
The installation features three distinct platforms each showcasing a larger-than-life watering 7-foot mushroom and a smaller interactive mushroom that visitors can activate through a hand crank to trigger music, lighting effects, and mist. After its debut in Atlanta, Louisville serves as the second location for this innovative art installation.
Larger-Than-Life Banana Peel-Shaped Bench
mid-July through August
Waterfront Park, near the Flock of Finns, intersection of E. Witherspoon St. and N. Floyd St.
Previously featured in New York, Phoenix, Providence, Montreal, Longueuil, Hong Kong, and Shanghai, the installation features a striking giant banana peel bench offering additional seating and a new photo opportunity to Downtown visitors, residents, and employees.
Baseball-Themed Public Art Display
June through mid-July
Witherspoon Entrance, Louisville Slugger Field, corner of E. Witherspoon St. and N. Preston St.
Previously featured in New York City and Phoenix, the installation includes a large bat-shaped bench, a baseball-shaped bench, and a human-powered photo frame. When the crank is turned on the photo frame, individuals will hear the classic tune of âTake Me Out to the Ball Game.â
Taylor Swift-inspired Exhibit
mid-April through May
Plaza on Fourth, near corner of 4th and Jefferson Streets
Originally created to be on display during Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in Vancouver, Canada, the Taylor Swift-inspired exhibit features four interactive pieces: a guitar, a pink cowboy boot, a tube of lipstick, and sunglasses. Each piece is fully human-powered, lights up, and plays music when cranked. Songs include Lover, Shake It Up, The Man, and Antihero by Taylor Swift.
100% Human-powered Boombox
mid-February through March
KFC Yum! Center Pepsi Plaza, 1 Arena Plaza
Originally created for the 50th anniversary of Hip Hop at the Yankees Stadium, the boombox-themed installation is fully human-powered, featuring a hand crank to power music and the lights.
Interactive Dog-Themed Display
mid-December 2024 through mid-January, 2025
Open public space next to the Omni Hotel, near the corner of Muhammad Ali Blvd. and 3rd St.
The dog-themed installation is 100% human-powered, featuring an interactive 8 ft. fire hydrant music when the lever is turned and an oversized bench inspired by a dog biscuit.
Interactive Bike Display
mid-October through mid-December, 2024
Entrance of the Belvedere, 5th Street and Main Street
The installation features four stationary bikes that emit light and sound when pedaled.
Football Benches
September – mid-October, 2024
Plaza on Fourth, near corner of 4th and Jefferson Streets
Originally created for a client brand activation, this installations featured six large football-shaped benches at the Plaza on Fourth.
About LeMonde Studio
LeMonde Studio is a placemaking and urban design company that designs interactive experiences with greener entertainment, art, and sensible technology. Electrifying each activation by human power or green tech, we put the visitor at the centre stage of the experience, building community bridges and teaching the actual value of energy.