Four sculptures to be installed in parks September 30
On September 30, Public Art Appreciation Day in Cedar Rapids, the Downtown Cedar Rapids Rotary Club will install four sculptures in Bever, Cherry Hill, Jones and Noelridge Parks. The installation will be completed by volunteers at each park from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. The artwork was purchased from local artist Tom Newport. The $10,000 project also includes landscaping around each sculpture.
“Our parks are well-attended and beautiful. They are an integral part of family life in the city. Through this project we will have a beautiful piece of art in each quadrant of the community,” said Barbara Green, project coordinator.
The Downtown Rotary Club identified the need for public art in signature parks that were heavily used by the public. They worked with Bill Stamats, Visual Arts Commission Chairman, Barbara Green, Rotarian and Vice-Chairman of the Visual Arts Commission, and Daniel Gibbins, Parks Superintendent, to purchase the art, confirm and mark the sites. A rock marker with the name of the sculpture and artist will be placed at each location. The City of Cedar Rapids will provide the land, foundation and base, marker and future maintenance.
“Public art brings value to a city by creating a sense of identity for the city as a whole and also specifically for neighborhoods. Public art can create a visual distinction for a city while also being a key factor in the cultural scene of that city. The cultural scene, in turn, makes the city more dynamic for its denizens and aids in attracting businesses and tourism dollars. Public art is accessible to everyone and is essentially “owned” by all the citizens of a community. While not necessarily aiming to be high-brow, public art can stimulate a person’s imagination, spark an opinion, and engage people in conversation,” said Bill Stamats.
The Cedar Rapids City Council proclaimed September 30, Public Art Appreciation Day, during a City Council meeting on September 12. At the meeting they recognized Mark and Jan Spielman for their donation of a sculpture, Luna de Pecos, for Ellis Park. Mount Mercy University students, Julie Wise and Kelsey Bills, were also recognized for their donation of a painting, Community, to the City of Cedar Rapids. The painting was completed in the fall of 2016 to commemorate the efforts to protect Cedar Rapids during the 2016 flood event. It has been installed in the City Services Center, near Time Check Hall, so it can be viewed by staff and the public when the room is used for events.
The City of Cedar Rapids owns 140 pieces of art at an estimated value over $7.6 million. Cedar Rapids has large public sculptures in and around Greene Square, including the spiral sculpture created by internationally recognized artist Bruce Beasley. The city also has public artwork by the McGrath Amphitheater and other locations in the downtown area. The Visual Arts Commission assists with the acquisition and promotion of art in public spaces in Cedar Rapids.