Champaign Parks Foundation Purchases Sculpture

 

“Double Dutch-a Jump for Joy” by artist Gary Bibbs of Lexington, KY, will now remain a permanent
fixture in West Side Park thanks to a gift left to the Champaign Parks Foundation by the late Michael
Carragher.

During their April Board meeting the Champaign Parks Foundation agreed to purchase the
sculpture for $32,500. The sculpture will be purchased from the Public Art League formed in 2010 to
promote public art in the form of a permanent sculpture collection in and around Champaign County.

“Double Dutch-a Jump for Joy” is a 16 foot tall, 24 foot wide sculpture created in 2008 made from
stainless steel tubing and bronze. It currently resides at the juncture of Park and State Streets in West
Side Park and is sponsored by First Federal Savings Bank of Champaign Urbana. The artist ex-
plained that his inspiration in creating the sculpture came from his observations of the joy, happiness
and innocence of children at play.

The sculpture was installed in West Side Park last August as one of the first sculptures the Public Art
League initiated and was to remain in the park for a minimum of two years at which time the lease
would either be renewed or the sculpture would be replaced with another. According to Bobbie Hera-
kovich, Champaign Park District Executive Director, “The Champaign Park District felt this sculpture
was a beautiful addition to West Side Park with its graceful arch welcoming park users from the east.
Additionally, the artists’ intent is not lost on the Park District as “Double Dutch” promotes joyful memo-
ries of youth as does the Park District. Its location, directly east of “Tootsie”, another sculpture do-
nated by Michael Carragher, makes it a perfect fit for the funds left by Michael to add more art to West
Side Park.”

Sculpturefest 2010

Kicking off a weekend of appreciation for the arts in Downtown Champaign, the Public Art League presents ‘Sculpturefest’ on Friday, August 20th. The event is open to the public and is a celebration of the arrival of sculptures that will be installed downtown. Starting at 6:00 p.m., the party will take place on Park Street between Neil and Randolph Streets and feature live music by Bruiser & the Virtues (starting at 7:00 p.m.) ...and summertime cocktails by Boltini Lounge. Learn more about the Public Art League and the program which is bringing more sculpture and public art to Champaign while you mingle with many of the artists whose work will be on display in our community.

Join the party on Friday, August 20th from 6-10 p.m. on Park Street as we kick off a great weekend of support for the arts. Special thanks to Busey Bank and Boltini Lounge!

Sculptures Placed in 2010

Check out the locations in Google Maps

Artist: Terrence Karpowicz Sculpture: “From Swords to Plowshares” Location: Taylor Street Plaza (West End of Cowboy Monkey beer garden) Sponsor: Pepsi-Cola Champaign-Urbana Bottling Co		Available for purchase Price: $42,000
Artist: Garry R. Bibbs Sculpture: “Double Dutch – A Jump for Joy” Location: Westside Park (East End) Sponsor: First Federal Savings Bank of Champaign-Urbana
Artist: Gail Simpson Sculpture: “Pointless” Location: One Main Plaza (Grass Area – North Hump) Sponsor: Volition
Artist: Bob Emser Sculpture: “Skycatcher III” Location: Southwest corner of First and Chester Streets Sponsor: Robeson Family Benefit Fund
Artist: John Searles Sculpture: “Spiral Flight” Location: Northeast corner of Main & Chestnut Streets Sponsor: Jos. Kuhn & Co.
Artist: Paul Daniel Sculpture: “Red Eye” Location: Parking lot island in front of the Orpheum Theater Sponsor: Illinois Green Business Association
Artist: Barry Tinsley Sculpture: “Entrance” Location: One Main Plaza (Grass Area – South Hump) Sponsor: One Main Development Marci Dodds & Cody Sokolski
Artist: Roger F. Blakley Sculpture: "R-RP-25" Location: Neil Street (near Circles) Sponsor: Barham Benefit Group

Editorial - Cooperation in the name of public art

 

From the News-Gazette: Editorial
Champaign now joins Urbana with a program to place public art in various location in the city.
The Champaign City Council's decision last week to join with a private group to cooperate in placing sculptures in various locations around the city is welcome as an example of public-private cooperation to support public art. It's a no-risk proposition for Champaign taxpayers that can enrich the social and cultural life of the city at little or no public cost.
-- read the full article

PAL Receives Unanimous Approval by City Council

The Champaign City Council unanimously approved support for the Public Art League.

Read all about it in the News-Gazette coverage here

Public Art League to Provide Leadership to City

The Champaign City Council looks to the Public Art League for leadership, as it considers streamlining subcommittees by sidbanding the City Council's Public Arts Comission..

Read the News-Gazette story here

Interested in Seeing More Public Art in Champaign?

The Public Art League (PAL) cordially invites you to a reception to learn more and become a member.
 

This new not-for-profit organization, comprised of Champaign-Urbana area residents, is working to make great public art a big part of our community. PAL is sponsoring a competition that will be placing public monuments, sculptures, and other public works of art right here in Champaign on August 20th and we need you. Please come join us and find out how you can help make CU a more creative place to thrive!

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

5:30 - 7:30pm
Café Luna (116 N. Chestnut St., Downtown Champaign)

Light appetizers will be served.
Cash Bar & Tapas Menu available

Call To Artists

 

The Public Art League (PAL) and City of Champaign in Illinois, are seeking artists to participate in the First Annual Sculpture Competition.

Sculpture entries will be judged, selected, and then need to be delivered to the unveiling Ceremony August 20, 2010. They will be displayed at the Champaign Park District's Downtown Festival of the Arts August 21, then be available for a two year installation, during which time we will attempt to arrange purchase for the Art as part of a permanent public/private collection in our community.
PAL and the City of Champaign reserve the right to determine the locations and number of sculptures that will be mounted into the downtown streetscape and Second Street Sculpture Park for exhibition from August 2010–August 2012. Artwork will be selected to compliment its surroundings and will be displayed to serve as major visual anchor points, community identity and a statement that Creativity and Art are of vital importance to our existence in Central Illinois.