We have quite a few odd or strange towns in Kansas, at least more odd than the rest of us. For those of you who are new to how odd Kansas can be, this town full of sculptures, mosaics, and more is the perfect stop to get acquainted with everything unique. Come check out what we've got going on!
If you know of just how unique Kansas can be, it won't surprise you that Lucas is where we're headed.
Lucas is full of Grassroots Art, which is art created by self-taught individuals, usually during retirement, but they can be of any age! Your artistic vision is never inhibited by classes or judgement, and comes out as pure as it does when you're a child. Even better, many of these art pieces are made from recycled goods and materials!
One highlight of Lucas is the miniature town named Miller's Park.
These tiny homes are made of mostly stone, glass, and concrete, and are all part of a collection that started in 1921 as a roadside attraction. Today, it's owned by the town and sits proudly fenced in to keep it safe.
Of course, we can't mention Lucas and the grassroots art scene without mentioning the Garden of Eden.
It's not only the oldest folk art piece in the U.S. that's still intact, but also a display of the artist, S.P. Dinsmoor's biography. Biblical themes, political statements, and plenty of folk art of all sizes covers this property.
Not only are there more famous pieces of art that everyone knows of, but there's also art everywhere you look, and many residents participate as well! From cars covered in melting dinosaurs . . .
. . . to these pop tab vehicles sculpted by Herman Divers.
At the Grassroots Art Center, you'll find all sorts of sculptures to check out, varying from simpler to very complicated and abstract.
The Grassroots Art theme extends even to their toilet-shaped public bathroom with a toilet paper walkway.
It's also the #2 public bathroom in the whole country! Being #2 isn't bad at all, when you're judging the best places to go #2.
Lucas and the Grassroots Arts scene have plenty to explore, and you can follow the trails of the art out of town for even more adventures.
Whether you love mosaics, sculptures, wacky caricatures, or just everything weird, Lucas is the central force of folk art in Kansas.
If you are excited to visit, tour the town, and see all you can, then check out the Get Lucas Facebook page for highlights and some more peeks at what you can spot in town.
Does your town have something unique that sets it apart from everyone else? Tell us all about what makes your small town special with our Nomination Page. Just treat it like a suggestion box for anything you'd like us to see!
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