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"Tailwind" was created by WIU alumnus Matt Myers, of Macomb.
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"Black Widow" is the work of WIU Art Department Chair Charles Wright.
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Macomb, WIU Partner for Public Art Project

June 14, 2016

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MACOMB, IL – An artistic collaboration between Western Illinois University and the city of Macomb has resulted in 10 large-scale public art sculptures being added to the downtown Macomb area over the past few days.

The project was born during a November meeting between WIU Assistant Professor of Art Duke Oursler and Macomb Downtown Development Director Kristin Terry. Oursler has participated in numerous public art projects throughout the country with his large-scale sculptures; he also created the community art piece on the Rotary Club's West Jackson Street green space.

"Duke and I met on other occasions for projects to work on for the downtown area," said Terry. "We thought it would be so neat if we could make an outdoor sculpture exhibition in the downtown area. Our mission was to make the arts more accessible to the community of Macomb by providing opportunities for residents, students and visitors to view art in a meaningful and dynamic way. My other mission was to have folks come to the downtown area and draw attention to the downtown area."

Through the project, artists were paid $1,000 each to display their work on one of 10 concrete bases positioned throughout the downtown area. The work will be on display for 12 months, when 10 new sculptures will be installed.

The Macomb City Council approved some seed money for the project, and the balance was raised through donations by local businesses, including from the WIU Foundation; Performing Arts Society; MidAmerica National Bank; McDonough District Hospital; Marine Bank, Morton Community Bank (Citizens Bank); Macomb Noon Rotary Club; Scott L. Terry, attorney at law; Terrill Title; Commercial Rental; Engraving by Lin, Key Realtors; Wayland Ready Mix Concrete; Maurer-Stutz, Inc. and Kaskaska Engineering Group.

Artists included in the first round exhibit include WIU Department of Art Chair Charles Wright and WIU alumnus Matt Myers, of Macomb, as well as regional artists Kevin Casey, of Cedar Falls (IA); Andrew Arvanetes, of Dekalb (IL); Matt Moyer, of Columbia (MO); Fisher Stolz, of Peoria (IL) and Jaci Willis, of Peoria (IL). Wright, Myers and Casey each have two pieces in the exhibit.

Terry said a brochure is being put together with a map of where each sculpture is placed. Each piece will also have a metal plaque attached, which names the sculptor and the sponsor.

Oursler said he organized the artists interested in displaying at the show and the installation of the pieces in downtown Macomb.

"It has already been great; people are talking about it, and it's kind of a shock to the system," Oursler said. "I have known for a while that the city is planning to revitalize the downtown area and I thought it would be great to get the art in first and be a part of it. Our downtown is not only historic, but now it's also like a gallery."

The statues also complement the existing "Rocky on Parade" bulldog statues around Macomb, many of which are placed downtown.

"The city and Western Illinois have a lot of really wonderful culture, and we're really beginning to celebrate it," said Oursler, who is also a co-founder of "Rocky on Parade." "People are enjoying it and it's becoming something to smile about."

Each of the 10 pieces is for sale, and Terry said the city would receive 20 percent of the proceeds for any that are sold during the exhibition period.

For more information about the exhibit, contact Terry at (309) 575-3015.



Posted By: Jodi Pospeschil (JK-Pospeschil@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing