A popular sculpture by the late Minnesota artist Paul Granlund has been stolen from the grounds of the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, the center said Thursday.

"South Wind," a 42-inch-high bronze work depicting a nude woman facing the wind, was taken from the arboretum's Nelson Shrub Rose Garden sometime between last Thursday evening and Saturday morning, according to the arboretum's on-site security patrol. Removal of the sculpture from its marble base would require special tools, the arboretum said.

The theft was discovered by a gardener, according to Barb DeGroot, a spokeswoman for the arboretum.

Sculptures are scattered throughout the arboretum's 1,200 acres, with some not clearly visible amid trees and gardens, DeGroot said. In addition, the Granlund sculpture was near Three-Mile Drive, which only reopened recently to vehicle traffic for the summer season.

"The normal crowds weren't there, so [the theft] may have been overlooked," she said.

The arboretum said it is working closely with Carver County law enforcement authorities to solve the theft and asks anyone with information to call 952-361-1212. DNA samples were collected at the scene and are being processed, the arboretum said.

"This was a criminal act and we take it very seriously," said arboretum Director Ed Schneider. "With the public's help, we hope to restore this priceless treasure to the arboretum so that Minnesotans young and old can enjoy it once again."

The sculpture, a gift from a local donor, featured an artist inscription of "10."

Granlund, who was sculptor-in-residence at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter, Minn., for 25 years, fashioned about 650 sculptures in his 50-year career. More than 100 are in Minnesota.

He died in 2003 at age 77 from respiratory problems caused by his years of working with bronze.

Susan Feyder • 612-673-1723