How much did Carmel spend on 17 statues?

Carmel has spent more than $1.4 million in taxpayer money the past 10 years to jazz up its downtown streets with statues, most of which depict everyday Americans going about their business.

Seward Johnson created the majority of the statues — 15 of 17. The 85-year-old has never visited Carmel — which has the largest privately or publicly owned cluster of his statues anywhere — mainly because he doesn't fly. He has three homes — traveling between New Jersey, Nantucket, New Jersey and Key West.

Most of his works are the results of observing people.

Johnson creates seven duplicates of each bronze statue — the upper threshold to call such work original — plus a copy of every one in his New Jersey museum.

Mayor Jim Brainard is a fan. He began purchasing the statues in 2005. The city also has purchased work from Brad Howe and Jerry Joslin.

The mayor has been both complimented and criticized for buying the statues. Some find them charming. Others say they are a bit creepy. Some criticize the works as expensive pseudo art. Others enjoy the works.

1. First Ride

What: Take a look at the father's face. In the work, the artist focused more on his trepidation than on her glee at her first bike ride. The work serves as a metaphor for parents releasing their children into the world.

Cost: $95,000.

Artist: Seward Johnson.

Location: South side of Main Street at the Monon Parkway.

Installed: Dec. 10, 2005.

2. Confirming Predictions

What: A business executive enjoys his paper outside of the office in the open air. There has been unfounded speculation the work was based on Mayor Jim Brainard. If you look closely, the paper is USA Today.

Cost: $75,000.

Artist: Seward Johnson.

Location: 115 W. Main St.

Installed: April 20, 2006.

3. There, Now You Can Grow

What: This piece was inspired by the artist's younger sister.

Cost: $75,000.

Artist: Seward Johnson.

Location: Main Street and 1st Avenue NW.

Installed: April 20, 2006.

4. Sidewalk Concert

What: Johnson is famous for focusing on minute details. Here, his image adorns the coins in the violin case. He wanted to avoid being accused of counterfeiting money.

Cost: $76,000.

Artist: Seward Johnson.

Location: 22 W. Main St.

Installed: April 20, 2006.

5. Holding Out

What: This relatable piece has appeared in exhibitions from Napa Valley, Calif., to Rome. Everyone has a grouchy day.

Cost: $76,000.

Artist: Seward Johnson.

Location. 115 W. Main St.

Installed: Dec. 9, 2006.

6. Embracing Peace (Formerly Unconditional Surrender)

What: Johnson changed the name to Embracing Peace to better reflect World War II veterans' homecoming. This year, 70 years after the war's end, 25-foot copies will be in the Philippines and Normandy, France, as well as Times Square in New York City; Sarasota, Fla.; San Diego, and Pittsburgh.

Cost: $122,000.

Artist: Seward Johnson.

Location: 19 E. Main St.

Installed: May 23, 2008.

7. Things to Do

What: A businesswoman chews thoughtfully on her sunglasses while writing a to-do list while juggling family life with work.

Cost: $80,000.

Artist. Seward Johnson.

Location: Main Street and Rangeline Road.

Installed: July 12, 2008.

8. Who's in Charge

What: Exploring fatherhood from a higher perch.

Cost: $88,000.

Artist: Seward Johnson.

Location: 30 N. Rangeline Road.

Installed: Oct. 13, 2008.

9. Elemental

What: A couple finds mutual shelter under an umbrella.

Cost: $110,000.

Artist: Seward Johnson.

Location: Indiana Design Center.

Installed: July 3, 2009.

10. Oh, it's You. Welcome

What: Johnson's security guard looks so real, cars often slow while passing by as they cross the Monon Trail.

Cost: $77,000.

Artist: Seward Johnson.

Location: North side of Main Street at Monon Parkway.

Installed: Sept. 9, 2009.

11. The Right Light

What: The plein air painter is working on a piece about the Arts & Design District.

Cost: $118,000.

Artist: Seward Johnson.

Location: Northwest Corner of 4th Avenue NW and Main Street.

Installed: Sept. 26, 2009.

12. Spring Eternal

What: The whimsical piece was created by Jerry Joslin, who died in 2005. His son, Sergei Joslin, attended the city's dedication ceremony for the work.

Cost: $49,975.

Artist: Jerry Joslin.

Location: Northeast corner of 4th Avenue NW and Main Street.

Installed: May 28, 2010.

13. Cyclo

What: Mayor Brainard thought the shapes in the work were well suited for display in a roundabout.

Cost: $80,000.

Artist: Brad Howe.

Location: 136th Street and Rangeline Road roundabout.

Installed: Nov. 12, 2011.

14. Ambassador of the Street

What: Johnson noticed that dogs often serve as the ambassadors of the street, connecting strangers out on their daily walks.

Cost: $78,000.

Artist: Seward Johnson.

Location: 110 W. Main St.

Installed: Feb. 11, 2012.

15. One Man's Search

What: A man immerses himself in a book on a park bench.

Cost: $78,000.

Artist: Seward Johnson.

Location: 110 W. Main St.

Installed: Feb 11, 2012.

16. My World

What: A little girl explores perhaps her first picture book.

Cost: $70,000.

Artist: Seward Johnson.

Location: City Center, lower level.

Installed: March 2, 2012.

17. Big Sister

What: A sibling offers a helping hand.

Cost: $82,000.

Artist: Seward Johnson.

Location: City Center, upper level.

Installed: March 5, 2012.

...And 1 giant head (untitled artwork)

What: The privately-owned piece is on loan to the Evan Lurie art gallery from artist James Tyler. It's for sale for about $25,000. The work may look familiar. He has a similar piece along Mass Ave.

Location: 42 W. Main St.

Sources: City of Carmel. Evan Lurie. Paula Stoeke, director of The Sculpture Foundation.

Call Star reporter Chris Sikich at (317) 444-6036. Follow him @ChrisSikich.