University News

"Illinois Stories" Host Mark McDonald interviews Western Illinois University Professor Emeritus of Art George Potter near the public art sculpture "Commemoration 75" on the Macomb campus in the fall of 2013.

"Commemoration 75" is a lasting memento of WIU's diamond jubilee celebration for the institution's 75th anniversary in 1974, explains WIU Distinguished Professor Emeritus John E. Hallwas in his book, "First Century: A Pictorial History of Western Illinois University" (p. 192).

"It was created in the spring and summer of 1974 by art professor George Potter, with the help of six students, from steel donated by the United States Steel Corporation. The abstract sculpture is located between Tillman and Seal halls, and despite its 1,200-pound weight, it was intended to convey a 'feeling of motion or flight'...according to Potter."
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"Illinois Stories" Episode on WIU Public Art Selected as "Best of Illinois Stories"; Program to Air June 9 on Regional PBS Stations

June 8, 2016

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MACOMB, IL — An episode of the PBS program "Illinois Stories" that focuses on public art on Western Illinois University's Macomb campus has been selected as one of the program's "best" episodes and will air Thursday night on regional PBS stations.

According to "Illinois Stories" host Mark McDonald, the program has been selected to be part of a "Best of Illinois Stories" show and will be broadcast at about 9 p.m. (central) Thursday, June 9 on regional PBS stations WMEC, WQEC and WSEC. The specific episode can also be viewed on YouTube at www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Gw1tXRCAhc.

Show host and producer McDonald was on the WIU-Macomb campus in late 2013 to interview current and former professors about public art on campus. The program features Professor Emeritus Gil Belles, who started a project to add signage to the public art at WIU (and in Macomb) in order to give credit to the artists.

The episode also features the work of Professors Emeritus of Art Bill Sanders and George Potter, as well as WIU Department of Art Chair Charles Wright and Sculpture Professor Duke Oursler.

The entire "Best of Illinois Stories" program will air 6:30-10 p.m. (central) Thursday, June 9 and will feature Mark McDonald and special guest, Greg Mishkel, live in the studio.

For more information about "Illinois Stories," visit www.networkknowledge.tv/service/illinois-stories.

Posted By: Teresa Koltzenburg (WIUNews@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing