First sculpture leased by City in public art program installed
May 10—The first of sculptures leased by the city through the Quad City Arts' public sculpture program was installed Wednesday near the marina on Riverview Drive.
"We have a very rich art culture in our community as a whole," Clinton City Councilmember Gregg Obren said, "and so this was just another opportunity to showcase it."
Information provided by the city states that following the 2022 opening of "The Grove" installation by local artist Gabi Torres on the 100 block of Fourth Avenue South, Clinton City Administrator Matt Brooke was connected by her via email to Quad City Arts Executive Director Kevin Maynard to learn more about the program.
For cities including Rock Island, Moline, Davenport and Bettendorf, the Quad City Arts organization facilitates the selection and display of public sculptures in publicly accessible locations. The sculptures are each leased for a period of one year for program costs and a $1,500 stipend that goes to the artist. The sculptures may then be purchased for either private ownership or the city's permanent display. Those not purchased are replaced with new sculptures for the next year's duration.
In July 2023, the Clinton City Council authorized the allocation of half of fiscal year 2024's $25,000 Culture and Arts grants funding to participation in the program. The other half of the budget was authorized for a PA system at the Riverview Bandshell.
Obren said the PA equipment bought from Don Tegeler is in-hand. Its installation will come after the repair or replacement of doors damaged during a March burglary of both the bandshell and Clinton Showboat Theatre.
Over 110 sculptures were ranked for selection by members of Clinton City government, the Public Works Department, the Parks and Recreation Department, and the Clinton Fine Arts Association, along with Torres' input.
The city was able to get all of the sculptures at the top of Clinton's list, the information provided by the city states, including "Windwave II" by Illinois sculptor Bill McGrath that was installed Wednesday.
Four other sculptures leased by the city for the year, plus one not leased as part of the program but is instead a piece the city obtained locally and has ownership of, are to be installed during the week of June 10.
They are to be displayed at other locations along the riverfront as well as in the greenspace in the City Hall parking lot and in front of Clinton Public Library.
More information about Quad City Arts and the public sculpture program is available online at www.quadcityarts.com
