Arts Quincy and The Moorman Foundation are nearing the completion of The Celebration of Education Sculpture Series public art project! The ground-breaking project is one of the largest investments in public art in our area's history and features eight amazing sculptures at our area schools.
Sculpture Series
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The project began in 2018 as a collaboration with The Moorman Foundation and Arts Quincy in honor of Fabiola Moorman's commitment to creativity and community betterment. This public/private partnership is part of Arts Quincy's mission to create opportunities for arts access throughout the community, and it serves as a lasting monument to Quincy Public Schools and Quincy Catholic Schools strong academic and arts departments.
The final steps of the project include the creation of a bench surrounding the installation at Quincy Junior High School, and dedication plaques with student artwork which will be installed this fall, and some landscaping pieces. Though the series has experienced some delays with back-ordered materials, the entire team is excited to put the finishing touches on the project.
In late July, sculpture artists, volunteers, school staff, and contractors worked together to install three sculptures in a single day in order to be part of an episode of PBS's Illinois Stories with Mark McDonald. While it was a massive undertaking to coordinate three sculptures, artists, and volunteers in a short window, it was all worthwhile to see Quincy and the sculpture series featured on the regional PBS network WSEC.
The 30-minute program gives an insightful overview of the entire project and includes interviews with Arts Quincy's Executive Director Laura Sievert, artists Tim Jorgensen, Michael Young, Jim Jenkins, and QPS Superintendent Roy Webb. It is available to stream on the Illinois Stories YouTube channel.
"The regional publicity of the Illinois Stories episode showcases how investments in public art like this one can be a tourism draw in the future," explains Sievert. "Peer cities across the Midwest have found success with art-walks, so the project really has an impact beyond the schools or Quincy itself."
Arts Quincy would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the many people who made this project possible. Special thanks to Sharon Tweedell, Dane Barnes, Tim Keppner, Roy Webb, Mark McDowell, Paul Westerhoff, the board of The Moorman Foundation and Arts Quincy, and all the committee members, volunteers, and local media that made this project a reality.
Collect rubbings from each of the eight official site marker medallions!
Medallions were designed by students at each school during the 2019-2020 school year. Design Challenge Winners' artwork will be displayed beside each sculpture on a plaque, with installation expected in early October.
Before you start your tour, download and print an official collector's passport (available now!). Place the printed passport page over the medallion on site. Rub using the side of a pencil or crayon. Visit all eight locations to complete your travel keepsake!
The rubbing medallions are part of the Celebration of Education Sculpture Series, a project of The Moorman Foundation and Arts Quincy, America's First Arts Council.
Medallions were designed by students at each school during the 2019-2020 school year. Design Challenge Winners' artwork will be displayed beside each sculpture on a plaque, with installation expected in early October.
Before you start your tour, download and print an official collector's passport (available now!). Place the printed passport page over the medallion on site. Rub using the side of a pencil or crayon. Visit all eight locations to complete your travel keepsake!
The rubbing medallions are part of the Celebration of Education Sculpture Series, a project of The Moorman Foundation and Arts Quincy, America's First Arts Council.
