Public Art in Ames, Iowa: Exploring the CyclONE City Tour

©Journal Communications/Nathan Lambrecht

Public art is incredibly easy to encounter when you are exploring the Greater Ames region.

Whimsical statues of Cy – the beloved, iconic mascot of Iowa State University – appear along downtown sidewalks, outside local eateries, inside busy medical centers and across open campus spaces, creating delightful moments of discovery throughout the city.

Originally commissioned by the Leadership Ames Class XXVII – a professional development program sponsored by the Ames Chamber of Commerce – the CyclONE City Tour systematically placed custom-designed statues of the mascot throughout the community.

Dan Culhane, President and CEO of the Ames Regional Economic Alliance, explains the origins of the CyclONE City Tour.

“A group of Leadership Ames class participants took the idea, which has been done in other university cities across the country, and ran with it,” Culhane says.

Inspired by similar high-profile public art initiatives in university towns nationwide, the leadership class partnered with local businesses and civic organizations to sponsor life-sized Cy statues painted to reflect their unique surroundings. The result was a dynamic, citywide art experience that seamlessly blended creativity, school pride and local commercial identity.

While the formal tourism campaign has technically wrapped, the colorful monuments remain a permanent, beloved part of the landscape. Today, 27 unique Cy statues are scattered across the city, creating a vibrant self-guided art walk in Ames that locals and visitors can enjoy completely at their own pace.

Why the Cy Mascot Statues Still Resonate Today

The continued appeal of these public sculptures lies entirely in their playful design and effortless accessibility. Rather than requiring an admission ticket or a strict schedule, the art experience unfolds naturally as people move through their daily routines.

“They remain popular as they are playful and fun,” Culhane says. “Everybody who likes Iowa State University loves Cy, so having statues of him around the community has been fun and remains a great selfie stop in various parts of Ames.”

Even a short morning outing can easily transform into an interactive art walk. The search encourages newcomers and lifelong residents alike to explore new neighborhoods, support local small businesses and engage with the university campus footprint.

“I hope they see the spirit and enjoyment of it all,” Culhane says.

Top Stops to Start Your Self-Guided Ames Art Tour

“There is a great one downtown sponsored by the Ames Alliance that has tiny glass mirrors and was done in this manner around our campaign for See Yourself in Ames,” Culhane says. “Of course, the ME in Ames being yourself.”

“There is a great one next to Wallaby’s Bar & Grille in Somerset, as well as another with Cy in a fitness suit next to Ames Fitness Center, also in Somerset,” he says.

North of Somerset, another statue highlights local school pride. “North of Somerset at Bankers Trust is a Cy that is representing Ames High School, painted black and orange,” Culhane says.

For something unexpected, one Cy offers a dose of humor. “There is also a great Cy at Mary Greeley Medical Center next to their administrative offices that shows anatomy of internal organs on Cy, which is pretty funny, too,” Culhane says.

Discover Ames

• The Ames Alliance Statue (Downtown Ames): Located in the heart of downtown, this eye-catching sculpture features tiny glass mirrors.
• The Somerset Neighborhood Duet: Head to the Somerset community to spot two distinct versions of the mascot.
• The Ames High School Tribute (Bankers Trust): Situated just north of Somerset at the Bankers Trust branch, this statue highlights local high school spirit, beautifully painted in Ames High’s team colors.
• The Anatomy Lesson (Mary Greeley Medical Center): For a dose of local humor, visit the administrative offices at Mary Greeley Medical Center.

Long-Term Stewardship and Local School Pride

Individual property owners and the original corporate sponsors collaboratively maintain and preserve the Cy statues.

The tour’s structural blueprint required careful institutional coordination. The Iowa State University Alumni Association granted official permission to replicate the iconic mascot, utilizing the original master models located at both the ISU Alumni Center and the Gateway Hotel and Conference Center.

This shared sense of community stewardship has successfully kept the public art trail intact long after the official project concluded. It allows the local landscape to keep evolving organically while celebrating the university’s massive impact on local culture.

“We are a university town, and I remember at the time thinking we had to get this done as Iowa State University is such a prominent focal point of pride for our community,” Culhane says. “What better way to share in that pride than underwriting a Cy statue and having him painted in a way that reflects your business?”