Art and Artists

Bruce Hilding White’s “Ruckus” Sculpture

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Artist: Bruce Hilding White

Title: Ruckus

Date: Made in 1987 during the time that the sculptor’s son was a student on campus at Rockford College.

Description: The yellow elbows resemble macaroni. The sculptor wanted to relate the piece to the campus life of students, because many college-aged students eat macaroni and cheese.

Dimensions: Painted steel, 16’ x 9’

Location: Rockford College (Between Cummings and McGaw Halls), Address: 5050 E. State St., Rockford, IL 61108

 

Sources:

1) Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Rockford Public Art Trail.” Website Accessed 9/20/2023. https://www.gorockford.com/things-to-do/public-art-trail/

2) Rockford Area Arts Council and Rockford Park District.  “Greater Rockford Inventory of Public Sculpture.” October 8, 2003. Website PDF accessed 11/7/2023.

https://res.cloudinary.com/simpleview/image/upload/v1460591780/clients/rockford/Public_Art_Directory_b47be8f7-f0ae-5102-046b39a2fb2f6ba7.pdf

Terese Agnew’s Rockmen Guardians Sculptures

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Artist: Terese Agnew

Title: Rockmen Guardians

Date: Two pieces installed in Fall 1987 and two pieces installed in Spring 1988

Description/Dimensions: Figures (4) are approximately 12’ high. Rough granite. Rocks surround the figures.

Location: Rock River Rec Path, near 1040 N 2nd St., Rockford, IL 61107

 

Sources:

1) Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Rockford Public Art Trail.” Website Accessed 9/20/2023. https://www.gorockford.com/things-to-do/public-art-trail/

2) Rockford Area Arts Council and Rockford Park District.  “Greater Rockford Inventory of Public Sculpture.” October 8, 2003. Website PDF accessed 11/7/2023.

https://res.cloudinary.com/simpleview/image/upload/v1460591780/clients/rockford/Public_Art_Directory_b47be8f7-f0ae-5102-046b39a2fb2f6ba7.pdf

3) “Rockmen Take Staunch Stand to Cheers, Hugs,” by Jennifer Cerven, Rockford Register Star, May 1, 1988, page 1A.
4) “Climbers Wear Down ‘Rock Men’,” by Eileen Peterson, Rockford Register Star, May 7, 1988, page 5A.
5) “Towering Pieces Join Rockmen, Symbol,” Rockford Register Star, April 7, 1990, page 1A.

Rockford Letters at Davis Park

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Title: Rockford Letters

Date: Created in 2020 under the direction of the Rockford Area Convention and Visitor Bureau as part of the team’s commitment to placemaking and public beautification.

Description: Vibrant 4-foot tall aluminum “ROCKFORD” letters

Location: Letters adorn the north lawn of Davis Park, near the corner of S. Wyman and Chestnut Streets. Address: 320 S Wyman St, Rockford, IL 61101

Source: Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Rockford Public Art Trail.” Website Accessed 9/20/2023. https://www.gorockford.com/things-to-do/public-art-trail/

Rockford Art Alley Mini Murals by Dustin Eckhardt, Brett Whitaker, Jenny Matthews, and Asia Peters

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Title: Rockford Art Alley Mini Murals

Date: Created in 2023 as part of CRE8IV transformational art.

Description: Featuring 10 mini murals from four local artists: Dustin Eckhardt, Brett Whitaker, Jenny Matthews, Asia Peters.

Location: Stewart Square Alley, address: 308 W. State St.

Source: Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Rockford Public Art Trail.” Website Accessed 9/20/2023. https://www.gorockford.com/things-to-do/public-art-trail/

Chase Melendez’s Mural at Rockford Art Alley

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Artist: Chase Melendez

Title: Rockford Art Alley

Date: Created in 2023 as part of CRE8IV transformational art.

Description: Chase Melendez fills his wall with vibrant line work and shapes, and local artist paint mini murals on the adjacent wall within old brick window frames.

Location: Stewart Square Alley, address: 308 W. State St.

Source: Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Rockford Public Art Trail.” Website Accessed 9/20/2023. https://www.gorockford.com/things-to-do/public-art-trail/

Mural by Refugee Students through Rock Valley College

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Artists: Students from Burma, Tanzania, Rwanda and Iraq

Title: Unknown

Date: Created in 2015

Description: The project was spearheaded by refugee students through Rock Valley College.

Location:920 1st Ave., Rockford, IL (east facing wall)

Source: Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Rockford Public Art Trail.” Website Accessed 9/20/2023. https://www.gorockford.com/things-to-do/public-art-trail/

H. Edward Riddle’s “Reaching Out with Heart in Hand” Sculpture

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Artist: H. Edward Riddle

Title: Reaching Out with Heart in Hand

Date: Dedicated July 31, 2002

Description: Symbolizes renewal that is beginning in one of the community’s oldest neighborhoods.

Dimensions: 10’ x 6’ x 2’ steel sculpture

Location: Muldoon Grove Community Garden at Crusader Clinic, address: 1200 W. State Street, Rockford, IL 61102

 

Sources:

1) Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Rockford Public Art Trail.” Website Accessed 9/20/2023. https://www.gorockford.com/things-to-do/public-art-trail/

2) Rockford Area Arts Council and Rockford Park District.  “Greater Rockford Inventory of Public Sculpture.” October 8, 2003. Website PDF accessed 11/7/2023.

https://res.cloudinary.com/simpleview/image/upload/v1460591780/clients/rockford/Public_Art_Directory_b47be8f7-f0ae-5102-046b39a2fb2f6ba7.pdf

Carl Billingsley’s “Prism Arc-Yellow Quadrant” Sculpture

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Artist: Carl Billingsley

Title: Prism Arc-Yellow Quadrant

Location: Rockford City Market Pavilion, Water Street & East State Street

Source: Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Rockford Public Art Trail.” Website Accessed 9/20/2023. https://www.gorockford.com/things-to-do/public-art-trail/

Mike Baur’s “Prairie Till” Sculpture

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Artist: Mike Baur

Title: Prairie Till

Date: Created in 1984. Installed in 1996

Description/Dimensions: Concrete. 68” x 180” x 72”.

Location: Rockford Art Museum, address: 711 N. Main St., Rockford, IL 61103

 

Sources:

1) Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Rockford Public Art Trail.” Website Accessed 9/20/2023. https://www.gorockford.com/things-to-do/public-art-trail/

2) Rockford Area Arts Council and Rockford Park District.  “Greater Rockford Inventory of Public Sculpture.” October 8, 2003. Website PDF accessed 11/7/2023.

https://res.cloudinary.com/simpleview/image/upload/v1460591780/clients/rockford/Public_Art_Directory_b47be8f7-f0ae-5102-046b39a2fb2f6ba7.pdf

Erik Blome’s “Peace Through Knowledge” Sculpture

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Artist: Erik Blome

Title: Peace Through Knowledge

Date: Dedicated October 4, 2002

Description: Bronze books supporting stainless steel globe contain the word “peace” in many world languages. Commissioned by Rockford College and the Alumni Class of 1951

Dimensions: 13′ tall bronze, stainless steel and granite sculpture, with bronze doves and a granite pedestal.

Location: Jane Addams International Peace Garden at Rockford University, address: 5050 E. State St., Rockford IL 61108

 

Sources:

1) Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. “Rockford Public Art Trail.” Website Accessed 9/20/2023. https://www.gorockford.com/things-to-do/public-art-trail/

2) Rockford Area Arts Council and Rockford Park District.  “Greater Rockford Inventory of Public Sculpture.” October 8, 2003. Website PDF accessed 11/7/2023.

https://res.cloudinary.com/simpleview/image/upload/v1460591780/clients/rockford/Public_Art_Directory_b47be8f7-f0ae-5102-046b39a2fb2f6ba7.pdf