Dowagiac has quickly become known as the city with world-renowned sculptures placed throughout its limits and Sept. 14 will welcome a brand-new piece from a sculptor in Milwaukee.

Yet the question some residents continue to ask is, “What are these sculptures doing about jobs? We need jobs.”

The acquisition of sculptures and the need for job creation in Dowagiac have literally no correlation to one another and residents must understand this.

Each sculpture that has been placed in the city has been donated from residents with private monies.

The city, while gladly accepting the sculptures, has never put forth any funding to receive them.

The Dogwood Fine Arts Committee operates through its own funds to have art experts critique the collection, offer advice and connect artists with the committee members. There is no tax money being contributed to the equation, so why are people connecting the two?

It’s no secret that cities and towns across America are in need of jobs, including Dowagiac.

While many business owners can try to stabilize the work force in their local communities, the city’s collection of sculptures has nothing to do with that issue.

The sculptures should instead be credited with the addition of a few things to the city.

Beyond the general aesthetics these artistic pieces add to Dowagiac’s landscape, surrounding towns are taking notice and hoping to begin doing the same.

Niles park board officials have expressed interest in the idea and many have commented on how much the collection brings to the area.

The sculptures have also brought bus tours with visitors wanting to view them. If anything, the presence of the art has increased tourism to Dowagiac.

We should be celebrating this, not rolling our eyes.

We as residents should be proud of the sculptures our neighbors and fellow citizens have donated money to receive so we may have a more beautiful town in which to live.

This editorial represents the views of the editorial board.