PEORIA, IL- November, 2, 2015- Sculpture Walk Peoria is pleased to announce the sale of the second sculpture from the 2015 Sculpture Walk to the Morton Public Library. They have chosen to purchase Matt Matheney’s “Eternal Flame,” which was also the 2015 Sculpture Walk Peoria People’s Choice Winner. Matt stated, “I’m excited because it was sold locally. We live in Morton, and during the summer, my wife and three children frequent the library a lot.”
The “Eternal Flame” sculpture will be moved, in May 2016, from its present Sculpture Walk location and placed in its permanent home in the Morton Public Library reading garden. Alissa Williams, Director of the library said, “The ‘Eternal Flame’ sculpture was noticed at the opening of Sculpture Walk Peoria. The colors of the sculpture compliment the reading garden, and the artist was local. Public art is wonderful for a community.”
“Eternal Flame” sculpture reflects Matt Matheney’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 is the Owner-Operator of Matheney Granite Works and is a Memorialist for Abel Vault and Monument Co.
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.