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WIU alumnus Ron Gard and his sculpture "Emancipation."
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Gard was in Macomb June 8 to oversee the placement of his sculpture.
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Second Round of Downtown Sculptures in Place as Part of WIU/Macomb Partnership

June 14, 2017

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MACOMB, IL – The second edition of a large-scale public art project in and around downtown Macomb is now in place.

In June 2016, 10 sculptures were placed downtown as part of a partnership between the city and Western Illinois University. The idea was developed in late 2015 after a meeting between WIU Assiociate Professor of Art Duke Oursler and Macomb Downtown Development Director Kristin Terry. Oursler has participated in numerous large-scale sculpture exhibitions throughout the country.

This month, eight sculptures will be placed around the downtown area, including work by artists Marc Moulton, of Statesboro, GA; Cathy Perry, of Lewisburg, KY; Matt Moyer, of Columbia, MO; Mike Baur, of West Chicago, IL; Glenn Zweygardt, of Alfred Station, NY (two art pieces); Andrew Arvanetes, of Dekalb, IL; and Ron Gard, of Chicago.

Gard is a 1973 WIU graduate, with a degree in art. His art piece, "Emancipation," was placed on North Lafayette Street June 9. Gard returned to Macomb to oversee the installation of his piece and said he enjoyed touring Macomb and WIU with Oursler afterward, especially the art facilities and "what is available to students."

"I was reminded what a lovely feel Macomb has," said Gard. "I was always happy to get back in town during my tenure there and had that same feeling as I drove in past the duck pond by the north entrance to campus on the way in to town. Macomb and the University are a special place. I have found other campuses 'nice' and 'impressive,' but perhaps it gets imprinted in your noggin' when you spend a number of your formative years in a place; the place where the first seeds of independence are planted and you get the sense that, yes, in fact, it will be possible to steer your own ship."

Gard said he was fortunate to study under Art Professor Emeritus George Potter, who he added gave him "a great foundation for work and for life."

"He helped me learn how to be a decent human being," said Gard. "So many other faculty had similar if not as concentrated effects on me, as well."

After maintaining a studio space in Chicago for more than 30 years, Gard displays his large-scale works in communities across the country.

Gard's art piece, and the seven others, will be on display for one year. Artists are paid $1,000 each to display their work. Seed money for the project was provided by the Macomb City Council, and sponsors of this round of sculptures include MidAmerica National Bank, McDonough District Hospital, the WIU Foundation, the Performing Arts Society, Citizens Bank, a division of Morton Community Bank, Marine Bank, Terrill Title, Key Realtors, Maurer-Stutz, Inc., Kaskaskia Engineering Group, LLC, Commercial Rental, UCM Wayland Ready Mix and the Macomb Area Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Each of the displayed pieces is for sale, and if any piece is sold during the exhibition period, the city would receive 20 percent of the proceeds.

"Downtown Sculpture Exhibition is a great addition to the downtown for so many great reasons," stated Downtown Development Director Kristin Terry. "It really shows the community and visitors coming together and viewing art in a dynamic way."

For more information about the exhibit, contact Terry at (309) 575-3015.






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