Clarence the Catfish is back in place near Oakdale Park after being damaged during the June 8 storm.

The public art sculpture, which depicts a catfish riding a penny-farthing bicycle, was found collapsed after strong winds moved through Salina. The sculpture had been displayed near the Salina water treatment plant and the pedestrian bridge leading into Oakdale Park.

According to information released by Salina Arts & Humanities, the sculpture’s creators, Joe and Terry Malesky, agreed to repair the damaged piece. Clarence has since been reinstalled near South and Fourth streets outside the park.

Clarence became part of Salina’s permanent public art collection after winning the 2022 SculptureTour Salina People’s Choice Award. The sculpture was purchased by the City of Salina following the public vote.

The sculpture was created using repurposed materials, including engine parts, wrenches, vehicle gauges, scrap metal, license plates and pieces of farm equipment.

Clarence was named after Joe Malesky’s grandfather, who taught Joe and Terry how to fish for catfish.

The sculpture also includes an oil can that once belonged to Joe Malesky’s father.

The recent repairs added another local connection to the piece. Salina Parks and Recreation employee Adam Breault donated an antique Kansas license plate that had belonged to his father. The plate was used to repair an area near the sculpture’s base that was damaged during the storm.

The Kansas plate carries the state’s former “Wheat State” slogan and now sits alongside a Florida plate already included in the artwork.

Clarence was one of several public features damaged during the June 8 storm, which caused widespread damage across Salina.

With repairs complete, the familiar sculpture is once again standing near Oakdale Park.