ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS (June 10, 2020) — Six public sculptures in Bettendorf and four in Rock Island will be moving out and replaced with new ones over the next two weeks, starting tomorrow. Each city has elected to keep a sculpture from last years’ selection for another year. Quad City Arts has facilitated the leasing and installation of public sculpture in the Quad Cities since 2002. The City of Rock Island has participated in the program, yearly, since 2007 and Bettendorf, since 2008. Five sculptures have become part of Rock Island’s permanent collection, while Bettendorf has added 7. Davenport purchased nine sculptures while involved with the program. Sculptures are chosen by appointed committees and leased for one year. All of the sculptures are for sale and can be purchased by individuals, businesses or the city for permanent installation after June of the following year.
The most exciting part of the process is watching a Hampton Crane operator use their boom to lift a sculpture from an artist’s vehicle, hoist it high in the air and skillfully bring it down gently onto a concrete pad, as directed by the artist who created it. The artist will then drill holes into the concrete and secure the sculpture. The installation schedule for Wednesday, June 10, begins at 10:30AM at Martha’s Point in Bettendorf. The next stop is Faye’s Field on the lower hillside facing 18th Street. After that, a sculpture that sat in front of “Build to Suit” on State Street for two years will be lifted onto the sculptor’s truck to return home to await another rental or permanent installation. Meanwhile, a new sculpture that does not need a mechanical lift will be placed in Veteran’s Memorial Park, at the entrance off 23rd Street in Bettendorf at noon. (Hampton Cranes generously donates their services).
Moline artist, David Zahn, will be installing a bronze sculpture at “Build to Suit” on Thursday, June 11, with the help of Quad City Arts’ Nathan Kraft.
Thursday, June 11, will see the arrival of sculptures at Rock Island’s Southwest Library branch and Longview Park, without crane assistance.
Council Bluff artist, Leslie Bruning, will work with Hampton Cranes on Tuesday, June 16, 1PM, to install his piece in front of the Waterfront Convention Center, Bettendorf.
On Thursday, June 18, Rock Island’s Lincoln Park will receive a new sculpture by Tim Frye of Shumway, IIllinois.
Two more sculptures that are coming from Chicago have been delayed until roads that were closed due to rioting are opened back up. We’ll send out an update when we know more. Photographs with sculpture descriptions will follow complete installation. The full schedule follows:
Quad City Arts is a non-profit local arts agency dedicated to enriching the quality of life in the Quad City region through the arts. Support for art exhibitions is provided by the Iowa Arts Council, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, and the National Endowment for the Arts. Quad City Arts Gallery is located at 1715 Second Avenue in the Arts and Entertainment District of Rock Island. Gallery hours are Monday-Friday, 10AM-5PM, and Saturday, 11AM–5PM. For more information, contact Dawn Wohlford-Metallo 309-793-1213 X108, or by email at dwmetallo@quadcityarts.com.
