The public is invited to write thank you notes at Spring ArtScene

The Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau invites the public to write love notes as a farewell and thank you to the world renowned artists, Boaz Vaadia and Hans Van de Bovenkamp, for their generous loan of sculptures to our community. Note-writing stations will be set up at select locations in downtown Rockford during the Rockford Area Arts Council’s Spring ArtScene on Friday, April 21 (5 - 9 p.m.) and Saturday, April 22 (4 - 9 p.m.) This is also a time to take a final stroll of the eight sculptures on display before they return to New York in mid-May.

Originally scheduled to be on display from June 2015 – May 2016, the RACVB worked with the artists to extend the stay because of the overwhelming response from the community.

“It has been an amazing two years getting to know the artists, their stories and displaying their works of art throughout downtown Rockford. Then, to witness the joy they have brought to our residents and visitors is truly incredible, said Tana Vettore, RACVB director of destination development. “The sculptures became part of the fabric of our downtown, enhanced our appreciation for public art and created a sense of community which were goals we set out to achieve with this public art initiative. The love notes we are using to say ‘thank you’ is a small gesture of our unending gratitude.”

Note-writing stations will be set up at the following locations:

Four of the eight sculptures (outdoors):

  • “Ba’al & Yizhaq” – 111 N. Main St. (between State St. & Mulberry St.)
  • “Sagg Portal #6” – behind the Luther Center at 111 W. State St, along the river path
  • “Ah’av” – 502 E. State St. (near the corner of 2nd St. & E. State St.)
  • “Elephant Heart” – 519 E. State St. (at Irish Rose Saloon)

Spring ArtScene venues (indoors):

  • Bennie’s Cleaners – 126 N. First St.
  • Rockford Area Arts Council – 713 E. State St.
  • Irish Rose Saloon – 519 E. State St.
  • Abreo – 515 E. State St.
  • 317 Studio & Gallery – 317 Market St.
  • Octane InterLounge – 124 N. Main St.
  • Kortman Gallery inside J.R. Kortman Center for Design – 107 N. Main St.

 

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“We are delighted to work with the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau during Spring ArtScene this weekend to show our appreciation for having these wonderful sculptures throughout Rockford’s downtown for the past two years. Public art is essential in creating a community that people want to be a part of,” said Sharon Nesbit-Davis, RAAC executive director. “Having these sculptures in our own community has done just that by enriching our downtown and getting people outside to enjoy our public spaces.”

Each person who completes a note of thanks will be entered into a giveaway and eligible to receive one of three Rockford-themed Prize Packages. The giveaway will take place on Tuesday, April 25 at 4 p.m. at the RACVB office. Prizes for the gift packages were donated by the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau, 317 Studio & Gallery, Irish Rose Saloon, Abreo, Octane InterLounge, and J.R. Kortman Center for Design.

RACVB’s Forest City Beautiful (FCB) has partnered with Community Art Cart for this activity. Community Art Cart is a local project that ignites creativity and sustainability through public 'carts' that offer an exchange of reusable arts & crafts materials. Community Art Cart seeks to put these materials in the hands of everyone via public repositories that encourage the free exchange of materials for creative purposes – the carts are the artistic equivalent to the Little Free Book Libraries, and more info is available at www.communityartcart.org.

For more information on the public art sculptures or to download the FCB Sculpture Stroll flyer, visit www.gorockford.com/publicart.