Marshall in Lyon County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Mrs. Whitney Statue Artist John Knife Sterner
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 15, 2026
1. Mrs. Whitney Statue Artist John Knife Sterner Marker
Hau Mitakuyapi Oyasin! I am John Knife Sterner, born May 25, 1966, a member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe of South Dakota. I am Sicangu Lakota, and when I was three years old my onchi said to me, "Keep drawing. You are Lakota and the Lakota are artists, and you will be a great artist." Ever since then I can remember wanting to create.
My academic years were spent competing in sports and making art. I had a great high school art instructor who kept me very inspired and taught me many art concepts. My college career was very similar, playing three collegiate sports and making art. During college I really developed a love for sculpture and the process of casting metal. My 3-D instructor was exciting, interesting and very open for teaching the process. I graduated from Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) with a BS in Art Education and later completed my Master of Science degree in Education.
I taught junior high art for seven years in the Marshall Public School District. During my tenure at Marshall, my wife and I owned a screen printing business, Speed Print, for five years. I was then hired at SMSU to coach
this page online
During this time I have continued to create art using a variety of material; drawing, painting, screen-printing and most often making sculptures. I have attended over twenty iron pours and have used iron, bronze, aluminum, and fabricated steel to create most of my work. I draw every morning and evening. I make sculpture every day. I love the act of creation and have a great passion to learn more.
When asked to be on the Mrs. Whitney Sculpture Committee, I almost immediately began to draw out ideas. Initially knowing where the sculpture was going, I knew the project needed to be dynamic and exciting. My intent was, "How can we make a sculpture that will make Marshall proud and will bring attention to the area?" Over the course of the next year I made many drawings and aided Jim Dahl in realizing his dream. We discussed drawings, human anatomy, mechanics,
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., September 15, 2026
2. Mrs. Whitney Statue Artist John Knife Sterner Marker
Whitney statue seen in distance
Around the time of Jim's death, I had an epiphany to change the pitcher from the hip to extend in a more formal manner. The idea of the water being poured out and caught in the wind to demonstrate the always present southwest Minnesota wind was the next change, which evolved into her dress and hair blowing as well. Tim Gerrety, fellow sculptor and team member, and I decided to use contrapposto in her body alignment to create a sense of tension and movement. No matter where they would stand and start to look, as the viewers moved around her, they would have a story to read when looking at the sculpture of Mrs. Whitney.
Erected by the City of Marshall through the Southwest Minnesota Arts Council.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Education. A significant historical date for this entry is May 25, 1966.
Location. 44° 27.012′ N, 95° 47.082′ W. Marker is in Marshall, Minnesota, in Lyon County. It is at the intersection of College Drive (State Highway 19/68) and 3rd Street, on the left when traveling east on College Drive. The marker and statue are north adjacent to Liberty Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Marshall MN 56258, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Minnesota. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Corn Belt, and on the Great Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land and also the territory of the Mississippian Culture.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Mrs. Mary Alicia Wirt Whitney (here, next to this marker); Honoring Marshall Area Artist Jim Dahl (here, next to this marker); Mary Alicia Wirt Whitney (a few steps from this marker); Main Street (approx. 0.3 miles away); Main Street & East College Drive (approx. 0.3 miles away); Main Street & Third Street (approx. 0.3 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.3 miles away); 9/11 Memorial Park/Designer Gene Ernst's Inspiration and Vision (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Marshall.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 21, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 21, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 4 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 21, 2026, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.
