"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.
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