Peoria, IL – Sculpture Walk Peoria announced the inaugural Sculpture Walk Peoria artist and sculpture selections at a reveal party and a MAXAM Building fundraising event on Saturday, March 14th at The Waterhouse in the MAXAM Building. The Sculpture Walk Peoria committee also announced that they exceeded their fundraising goal for 2015: instead of displaying ten sculptures, they announced that the inaugural year will feature fifteen sculptures.
The artists selected (see below) are both nationally and internationally renowned sculptors. The Sculpture Walk Peoria 2015 jury, which included distinguished arts, business and community leaders, scored the sculptures according to their artistic and technical merits. The pieces present a wide range of artistic expressions, from the poetic pieces of Nicole Beck, to James Johnson’s immense steel structures.
In preparation for the opening weekend of Sculpture Walk Peoria on June 6, 2015, the Sculpture Walk Peoria committee is currently arranging several opportunities for the public to meet the Sculpture Walk Peoria 2015 artists. Those who are interested in Sculpture Walk Peoria 2015 events are encouraged to like the Sculpture Walk Peoria Facebook page.
Sculpture Walk Peoria 2015 Artist and Sculpture Selections
Luke Achterberg. Lexington, KY. “Poise.” Achterberg recently completed a body of work for a solo exhibition with Kathryn Markel Fine Arts in New York City. He has an MFA from the University of Kentucky.
Fredrico Aguirre. North Las Vegas, NV. “Concentricity.” Fedrico Aguirre is a contemporary metal sculptor utilizing his background in engineering.
Noelle Beck. Chicago, IL. “Foxgloves & Fists.” Beck has just installed a $250,000 sculpture commission at the University of Illinois Urbana among many other projects nationwide.
Kristin Garnant. Camanche, IA. “Fragmentary Composition.” Garnant has a background in graphic arts and specializes in the design of books, black and white photography, letterpress and offset printing.
Austin Glendenning. Asbury, IA. “Moment.” Glendenning is currently enrolled at Bradley University for his MFA and has travelled extensively in Europe studying art from an historical perspective.
James Johnson. Charleston, IL. “Prairie Walker.” Johnson has participated in large-scale public sculpture projects at universities both nationally and internationally.
Matt Matheney. Morton, IL. “Eternal Flame.” Matheney’s background is in the Monument industry. He explores sculptural artwork through functional objects.
Nathan Pierce. Cape Girardeau, MO. “Don’t Forget Us.” Pierce has a BFA in sculpture and explores how communication plays a fundamental role in our world through his artwork.
Robert Porreca. Columbus, OH. “Hard Right Turn: Sparrow.” Porreca’s sculptures have recently been exhibited at The Coburn Gallery and the American Institute of Fine Arts. He currently teaches art in Ohio.
Robert Pulley. Columbus, IN. “Daughter of the Moon.” A Midwestern native, Pulley draws his inspiration from solitary walks through the woods. His work reflects a sense of wonder that embraces the mysteries of nature.
Mark Richey. Creve Coeur, IL. “Solstice: Galactic Spiral.” A Central Illinois resident, Richey holds both a BFA and an MFA in Sculpture. His sculptures stimulate the human imagination with a cosmic aesthetic.
Fischer Stolz. Washington, IL. “Phenomenon.” Stolz, a professor at Bradley University, is a board member of Chicago Sculpture International and holds an MFA from the University of Georgia. Recent commissions include a major outdoor sculpture for Caterpillar Inc.
Jason Verbeek. New Lenox, IL. “Living Sculpture.” Verbeek has been exhibiting his sculptures in an outdoor setting for over 25 years. His sculptures are unique self-sufficient organic-inorganic works of art.
Jaci Willis. Peoria, IL. “Spanish Dancer.” Willis has an MFA in sculpture and is a former board member of Chicago Sculpture International. She works full-time on commissions geared toward positive growth in societies.
V. Skip Willits. Camanche, IA. “Swans on the Marsh.” Willits creates sculpture using metal fabrication, a skill he has honed since the age of ten. He is dedicated to a life of creating art in his Iowa home.
Sculpture Walk Peoria is an initiative of ArtsPartners of Central Illinois, Inc. with the full support of the City of Peoria and private businesses. Its mission is to enhance the appreciation for the arts in our community and educate the members of our community regarding the value of the arts via outdoor, public art spaces in the Peoria Warehouse District. In addition, art—in this case, sculpture—stimulates economic development by bringing people to the Peoria Warehouse District.
If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Maegan Gilliland at [email protected].
