A sculpture damagaed in downtown Bemidji over the weekend was removed by the artist and taken back to his studio, police said Tuesday.

Cosmic Spheres, one of dozens of pieces along the Bemidji Sculpture Walk, was first discovered damaged by police at about 2:15 a.m. Saturday, authorities said.

By Monday morning, the 100-pound stainless steel piece of art was broken off from its bolted position at 6th Street NW. and Beltrami Avenue, said the Sculpture Walk's Mitch Blessing.

The sculpture, the work of Roger Loyson, of Bemidji, is made of three old light posts that support three spheres brought together in a cluster, Blessing said. It's paired with an Iraq war memorial piece by Loyson that was not tampered with, Blessing added.

Anyone with information about the artwork's vandalism is urged to call police at 1-218-333-9111.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482