University News

A public art project to promote awarness of moving farm machinery will be held May 21 near downtown Macomb. (Courtesy photo)
[Download Print-Quality Image]

Photo by the WIU Visual Production Center
[Download Print-Quality Image]

Photo by the WIU Visual Production Center
[Download Print-Quality Image]

Local artist Kelley Quinn came up with the idea for adding mosaic tiles to a vintage tractor. Quinn is pictured with her daughter Mirabel, 13. Photo by the WIU Visual Production Center
[Download Print-Quality Image]

Tractor Town Macomb Public Art Project Unveiling Delayed

May 5, 2021

Share |
Printer friendly version

EDITOR'S NOTE: The unveiling of a mosaic-covered antique tractor, to promote awareness of farm machinery on the roadway, has been delayed so fundraising can continue for required safety upgrades around the structure. The public art project was scheduled to be unveiled May 21 in the Mummert Pocket Park on Macomb's North Lafayette Street. Donations to the project can be made at macombartscenter.org/projects-donations. For more information about the program, visit bit.ly/TractorTown.

MACOMB, IL – The unveiling of a public art project, designed to promote awareness of farm machinery on the roadway, will be held from 5-8 p.m. Friday, May 21 in the Mummert Pocket Park, next to Forgottonia Brewing in Macomb.

The base of the art project is a vintage, red Farmall H tractor that is now covered in mosaic glass tiles depicting farm life in western Illinois. Work on the project was completed in the Facilities Management building on the Western Illinois University campus.

The art piece was born from a local, grassroots effort to raise awareness of farm machinery on the move. Tractor Town Macomb began about two years ago after the death of local farmer Tim Sullivan, after his tractor was struck on U.S Route 67, between Macomb and Good Hope in May 2019.

The Tractor Town Macomb initiative was started by local artist and teacher Kelley Quinn, who also came up with the idea to create the mosaic tractor. The series of mosaic tiles, shaped and glued to the tractor, create scenes that include fields, barns and crops. They also interpret the local sunrise and sunset and the four seasons.

The work was completed with the help of about $20,000 in donated services, an Illinois Arts Council grant, a donation from Hometown Community Bank in Macomb, and of the display base needed for tractor placement by Laverdiere Construction.

Fundraising for the project is ongoing to bring in $15,000 for fencing to surround the tractor and $2,000 in commercial LED lighting. A fundraising goal of $30,000 has been set, which also includes the pouring of a concrete pad and fence installation costs. The Macomb Arts Center is acting as a collection point for donations, which can be made at macombartscenter.org/projects-donations.

As the COVID-19 pandemic slowed progress on the tractor project, Quinn hosted online workshops on the variety of artistic techniques needed to complete the project.

Numerous community volunteers and local families have worked on the project, including Sullivan's wife, Cynthia, and daughter, Theresa Young. The hope is to have multiple mosaic tractors placed around Macomb.

The food truck, "Udderly Delicious," will also be on the unveiling site May 21.

For more information about the public art project, or the unveiling, visit bit.ly/TractorTown.

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