2015 SCULPTURE WALK PEORIA PEOPLE’S CHOICE WINNER ANNOUNCED

Photo: Mary Bristol

PEORIA, IL- October, 19, 2015- Sculpture Walk Peoria is excited to announce Matt Matheney’s “Eternal Flame” sculpture as the winner of the first People’s Choice Award and $2500 cash prize. The announcement was made by Joe Richey (Chair of the Sculptural Walk Peoria committee) at the ArtsPartners of Central Illinois Annual meeting. Public voting began June 6th with the launch of the Sculpture Walk and continued through September 30th.

Matt Matheney, Morton, IL resident, is the Owner-Operator of Matheney Granite Works and is a Memorialist for Abel Vault and Monument Co. The “Eternal Flame” reflects Matt’s discovery of his own artistic “flame.” As a sculptor, he has expanded from creating functional pieces in the monument industry to exploiting geometric shapes and forms that he hand carves from granite. The hard stone takes on a soft, character-like appearance.

Matt stated, “I’m excited to be a part of the first Peoria Sculpture Walk, and I am honored to have won the People’s Choice Award. Eternal Flame was my first large scale sculpture.”

Sculpture Walk Peoria is a one year display of 15 sculptures from both nationally and internationally renowned sculptors. It is located on Washington Street between Liberty and Oak. The 2015 Peoria Sculpture Walk selections were made by a jury, which included distinguished arts, business, and community leaders. New sculptures are being selected for 2016 Sculpture Walk Peoria, which is an initiative of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois.

 

ArtsPartners of Central Illinois, Inc. promotes the arts as a vital component of central Illinois’ cultural and economic development. Founded in 1999, ArtsPartners of Central Illinois, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, not-for-profit organization whose mission is to build awareness and strengthen the arts as an economic catalyst for the Peoria area.