Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

Louise (Ouizi) Jones’ Mural on the Rockford Trust Building

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(Photo by Helen Karakoudas)

(Photo by Helen Karakoudas)

Artist: Detroit artist Louise Jones, known as Ouizi.

Title: Unknown

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

Location: Rockford Trust Building located at 202 W State St, Rockford, IL 61101

Description: Bold native flowers and butterflies.

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. Karakoudas, Helen. “Rockford’s Mural Initiative Is Getting Bigger And Smaller At The Same Time This Year.” Rock River Current. June 1st, 2023. Web article accessed 9/20/2023: https://www.rockrivercurrent.com/2023/05/31/rockfords-mural-initiative-is-getting-bigger-and-smaller-at-the-same-time-this-year/

Libbie and Lisa Frost’s Mural in Rockton, IL

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Artists: Libbie and Lisa Frost

Title: Unknown

Date: Created in 2021 as part of CRE8IV transformational art.

Location: Rockton Food & Spirits located at 121 W. Main St., Rockton, IL

Description: Inspired by fields of wild flowers that grow in the summer, the mural is intended to spark joy and bring smiles.

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/

Libbie and Lisa Frost’s Mural under Jefferson St. Bridge

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Artists: Libbie and Lisa Frost

Title: Unknown

Date: Created in 2019 as part of CRE8IV transformational art.

Location: 299 N. Madison 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/

David Foster’s “The Juggler” Sculpture

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Artist: David Foster

Title: The Juggler

Location: 711 N Main St, Rockford, IL 61103

Description: Sculpture in-motion is whimsical and matches the play and joy of the Discovery Center Museum.

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. “‘The Juggler’ is put together at Discovery Center.” Rockford Register Star. Online article accessed 9/20/2023:
    https://www.rrstar.com/picture-gallery/news/local/2013/10/09/the-juggler-is-put-together/406482007/

Robert N. McCauley’s Inlet Markers on the Rock River Recreation Path

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Artist: Robert N. McCauley

Title: Inlet Markers

Description: Located on the Rock River Recreation Path. Two totemic sculptures: one is of two sturgeon, and the other a white-tail deer head.

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. Artist’s biography from Visions West Contemporary. “Robert McCauley.” Accessed 9/20/2023: https://www.visionswestcontemporary.com/artist-biography/robert-mccauley.html

Michael Dunbar’s “Inland Passage” Sculpture

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Artist: Michael Dunbar

Title: “Inland Passage”

Date: 1985

Location:  near 711 N Main St, Rockford, IL 61103

Material: Painted Steel

Dimensions: 10ft. tall by 8 ft. wide by 8 ft. long

Description: This piece is on long-term loan, and is expected to become part of the permanent collection of the Rockford Art Museum.

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. Artist’s website, Michael Dunbar. “Outside Sculptures.” Accessed 9/20/2023: https://www.michaeldunbarsculpture.com/monumental-work

John McClarey’s Bronze Bust of Abraham Lincoln, “Iron Determination”

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Artist: John McClarey

Title: “Iron Determination”

Date: The Abraham Lincoln Courthouse Square was dedicated in 2009.

Location:  near 189 S. Church Street, Rockford, IL, 61101.

Material: Bronze

Dimensions: Five foot tall

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. Christiansen, Scott. “‘Iron Determination’: Tribute to Lincoln and fallen heroes.” Rockford Register Star. May 24, 2009. Accessed 9/20/2023:  https://www.rrstar.com/story/opinion/columns/guest/2009/05/24/iron-determination-tribute-to/44749951007/

Lisa Frost’s “Heart of the River” Mural

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Photo by Kevin Haas

Photo by Kevin Haas

Artist:  Lisa Frost

Title: Heart of the River

Date Created: CRE8IV 2023

Location: “Heart of the River” is located on the building of Mabel’s Jackpot, 5727 N. Second St.

Description:  A new mural filled with custom colors aims to spark joy by evoking the energy and athleticism of a Ski Broncs water ski show. The mural fills the south-facing wall of Mabel’s Jackpot, 5727 N. Second St., and depicts two slalom skiers winding around a ramp on the Rock River at sunset. “If you’re sitting at a Ski Broncs show, this is what you would see,” said Lisa Frost, the artist who created the mural. She titled the mural “Heart of the River,” paying homage to both its location in the City with a Heart and its hometown ski show team. “I’m not a water skier, but I can feel it when I watch you all,” Frost told Ski Broncs members Friday morning at a ceremony celebrating the mural’s completion. “That feeling of freedom, air and athleticism and pageantry and just feeling alive.” (Haas.)

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. Haas, Kevin. “Heart Of The River’: New Mural Honors Ski Broncs, Aims To Spark Joy In Loves Park.” Rock River Current. Website accessed 8/7/2023.  https://www.rockrivercurrent.com/2023/08/04/heart-of-the-river-new-mural-honors-ski-broncs-aims-to-spark-joy-in-loves-park/

Ruth Duckworth’s “Guardian” Sculpture

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Artist: Ruth Duckworth

Title: Guardian

Date Created: unknown

Material: Bronze

Dimensions: 10 feet tall

Location: “Guardian” is located near the E. J. Zeke Giorgi Center building at 200 S. Wyman Street, Rockford, IL 61101.

Note: Rockford’s first sculpture placed through the Illinois Art-in Architecture Program placed in front of the State of Illinois Building.

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/

Anthony Lewellen’s Auburn Street Retaining Wall Mural

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Artist: Anthony Lewellen

Date: Created as part of the 2023 CRE8IV transformational art program.

Location: near 4802 Auburn St, Rockford, IL 61101.

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. Artist’s Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/antckone/