Vibrant New Sculpture Installed in Downtown Champaign

"Adam and Eve Mourning Over the Soul of Abel"

by Bryan W. Massey, Sr.

The Public Art League is proud to announce the installation of "Adam & Eve Mourning Over the Soul of Abel," a sculpture by Bryan W. Massey, Sr.  The Public Art League worked with the ownership of the Lincoln Building during the morning of September 26th to complete the installation near Main and Market Streets in downtown Champaign.  Adam & Eve Mourning Over the Soul of Abel represents the 47th sculpture Public Art League has brought to the community, and its installation is possible thanks to the generous support of The Lincoln Building.

Bryan W. Massey has been a professor in the Department of Art at the University of Central Arkansas for over 25 years. His media includes steel as well as stone such as alabaster, soapstone, limestone, marble and granite. He also casts in iron, bronze, and aluminum.  Of these materials, Massey has said, “I have selected media that can be difficult to manipulate at times, but that is the challenge. Will I be able to cut, carve, grind, or weld the material into my submissive will to create very enlightening and interesting forms or three dimensional shapes that sometimes seem to defy gravity and the intent of that particular medium?”  His talent has been recognized with scores of awards, exhibitions, and commissions. Notably, his work The Jazz Player was selected and presented to former President Bill Clinton for the celebration and commemoration of the fifth year anniversary of the Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock, Arkansas.

Bryan & Delphine Massey

with "Adam and Eve Mourning Over the Soul of Abel"

Two new installations!

September 22, 2014 was a good day for public art in Champaign with the installation of two new pieces...

"Spiral the Gate" by Ray Katz

"Spiral the Gate," a sculpture by Ray Katz (Pontiac, MI), now greets visitors to Porter Park from Rising Road.  The sculpture's installation was possible thanks to the generous support of the Champaign Park District.

Ray Katz’s experience as an artist has spanned five decades, beginning with his undergraduate and graduate education in drawing, ceramics, and sculpture.  His sculptures have been featured in several one-person exhibitions, as well as dozens of public exhibitions and galleries, across the country.

Though he works in many mediums, his favorite is metal because of its strength, malleability, and natural beauty.  In describing Spiral the Gate, Katz writes, “I combine geometric and organic elements to create compositions that convey the implied energy found in my work. I use the abstract manipulation of form and shape in space to create visual balance, using rhythm, action and movement. The implied energy of my compositional structures is a hallmark of my work and a metaphor for an evolutionary process that I associate with human experience. Through the creative process a hierarchy of elements becomes symbols for ideas that are a tribute to the evolutionary experience we all share in common on the human plane and in the transcendent experiences inherent in life’s journey.”

"Jester Street Light" by Kimber Fiebiger

Welcoming visitors to downtown Champaign on University Ave. from the east is "Jester Street Light," a sculpture by Kimber Fiebiger (Minneapolis, MN).  The piece is located on the corner of University and Market Streets by 7 Saints and it is a functioning street light (a little more fun than the others).  The sculpture's installation was made possible thanks to the generous support of the City of Champaign.

Kimber Fiebiger received her BFA from the University of Minnesota, where she was the only woman in her class. She has been creating sculptures for over 30 years and though she still maintains her gallery in Minneapolis, her work has been on exhibition across the country, in Texas, California, Florida, Arizona, and Illinois. Her portfolio ranges from fun and whimsical to classical and contemporary.  In her own words, the Jester Collection was made to make people laugh, to amuse, and, as the real jesters throughout history, their facial expressions are a characterization of common sense and honesty of a character that was used for their insight and advice.

"Rules of Civility" finds a permanent home in Champaign

The Public Art League sends a big thank you to Michael and JoAnn Henneman for purchasing "Rules of Civility" (by Kristin Garnant of Camanche, IA). The Hennemans saw the sculpture at our unveiling party earlier this year and loved it so much...they bought it!

When describing “Rules of Civility”, the artist states: “Each work in this triptych is assembled from three rectangular panels of equal proportions.  Their subtle curves reveal openings and recesses, the give and take of space, while maintaining an upright dignity and powerful presence.  Sentries, speaking to the need of civility and compassion.”

“Rules of Civility” is currently installed outside the Henneman Engineering, Inc. building at 1605 S. State St. in Champaign. Thanks to the Hennemans for supporting and contributing to public art in our community!

Downtown Champaign Welcomes "Pipe Trapped Apparitions"

The Public Art League is proud to announce the installation of Pipe Trapped Apparitions, a sculpture by Charles Yost.   The sculpture was installed on Friday, September 19 on the southwest corner of Park and Randolph Streets in downtown Champaign.  Pipe Trapped Apparitions represents the 43^rd sculpture the Public Art League has brought to the community, and its installation is possible thanks to the generous support of the Friends of PAL.

Charles Yost received his BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, and his MFA in Sculpture from Northern Illinois University, where he also served on faculty.  His work has been featured throughout the Midwest, with exhibitions in festivals, galleries, and museums in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Tennessee.  As a sculptor, Yost is interested in observing and equating geometric, machine-like, industrial forms as they interact visually and aesthetically in functional use.  His current works embody both geometric and organic elements, forming what he describes as a “georganimetric” concept.  In this piece, Yost states, “organic apparitions are seemingly trapped or caught in a more geometric environment, yet can still live in peace and harmony.” 

THEB #1 Purchased!

The Public Art League is pleased to announce that THEB #1 by Jeffrey Boshart has been purchased by Surface 51 and Mellander Holdings, LLC.  The sculpture's new owners originally leased the piece as part of the PAL program in 2012.

THEB #1 will remain installed on N. Neil Street (next to Blue Line Station) and provide a great welcome to downtown Champaign from the north.