Planes on the Plains
Planes on the Plains is a regional public art initiative celebrating the legacy of aviation pioneer Clyde Cessna and the pioneering spirit of rural Kansas communities.
Through aviation-themed sculptures located in Kingman, Cunningham, and Norwich, the program recognizes the culture of innovation that has long defined life on the Great Plains. Generations of farmers, mechanics, and tradespeople developed practical solutions to everyday challenges — adapting tools, machinery, and materials in ways that required creativity, experimentation, and resilience.
That same spirit of ingenuity helped give rise to innovators like Clyde Cessna, whose early interest in agricultural mechanical problem-solving eventually led to advancements in powered flight.
A Shared Story Across Three Communities
The Planes on the Plains sculptures located in Kingman, Cunningham, and Norwich are designed to tell a single story across three communities.
Aviation pioneer Clyde Cessna was born and raised in rural Kingman County near Rago, and his early experiences on a farm helped shape the mechanical skills that would later influence his work in aviation. Each sculpture stands in a different community, honoring the pioneering mindset and problem-solving spirit that has long defined life across the region.
Each location features a different interpretive panel, presenting one part of the larger Planes on the Plains story.
Follow Clyde's Flight Path
Clyde’s Flight Path connects the three Planes on the Plains sculpture sites into a self-guided experience.
Visitors are encouraged to travel between Kingman, Cunningham, and Norwich to view each sculpture and interpretive panel. Together, these stops present the complete story of how rural ingenuity continues to influence innovation today.
Kingman Sculpture Site
📍 100 East D Avenue, Kingman, KS
👉 https://maps.google.com/?q=100+East+D+Avenue+Kingman+KS
Cunningham Sculpture Site
📍 Cunningham City Park, Cunningham, KS
👉 https://maps.google.com/?q=Cunningham+City+Park+Cunningham+KS
Norwich Sculpture Site
📍 Norwich Airport, Norwich, KS
👉 https://maps.google.com/?q=Norwich+Airport+Norwich+KS
About the Artist
The Planes on the Plains sculptures were created by late artist Robert Shea with the assistance of Mike Miller, whose work helped bring the Clyde’s Flight Path experience to life across Kingman County.
Commissioned in 2024 through the Kingman County Engaging Placemaking for Innovative Communities Committee, each sculpture reflects both the legacy of aviation pioneer Clyde Cessna and the pioneering spirit of rural Kansans.
Robert Shea’s artistic vision transformed local history into a shared public experience, connecting communities through a celebration of ingenuity, resilience, and innovation.