
Public Art
2021 Call for Artists
The Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (RACVB) works to encourage and enhance cultural life and public art in the Rockford, Illinois region through facilitation, recognition, and financial support of public art. The organization's Forest City Beautiful initiative is looking to produce 5-7 murals throughout the Rockford region, as well as install unique sculptures for the 2021-2023 Sculpture Biennial. Artists interested in either producing murals or providing sculptures can find more information and fill out applications through the following documents:
ROCKFORD Letters
The Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (RACVB) unveiled a permanent art installation at Davis Park, located at 320 South Wyman Street in downtown Rockford. Vibrant 4-foot tall aluminum “ROCKFORD” letters adorn the north lawn of the park, near the corner of S. Wyman and Chestnut Streets. The letters were created under the direction of the RACVB as part of the team’s commitment to placemaking and public beautification.
RACVB teamed up with Embassy Suites by Hilton Rockford Riverfront to offer a Rockford-themed Staycation photo contest for residents and visitors to participate in, with the winner receiving a prize package including a one-night hotel stay at the Embassy Suites valued at $179 and a $100 gift certificate to the hotel’s The Top restaurant.
CRE8IV: TRANSFORMATIONAL ART
Zoom Virtual Mural Backgrounds
Download custom Zoom virtual backgrounds for your zoom meetings featuring some of the downtown murals painted during the 2019 CRE8IV Mural Festival!
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Download Mural 1 (Artist - Jenny Roesel Ustick & Atalie Gagnet) |
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Download Mural 2 |
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Download Mural 3 (Artist - Corey Barksdale) |
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Download Mural 4 |
Rockford Sculpture Walk
Visit the downtown Rockford area to view the 13 unique sculptures on display as part of the Rockford Sculpture Walk.
CLICK HERE to download a map of the sculpture locations
CLICK HERE for a list of artist biographies of the 13 sculptures
SCULPTURE | ARTIST | SIZE | WEIGHT |
|
Andrew Arvenetes (DeKalb, IL) |
84" x 60" x 30" | 750 lbs |
|
Paul Bobrowitz (Colgate, WI) |
85" x 43" x 24" | 82 lbs |
|
Gary Kulak (Bloomfield Hills, MI) |
18' x 40" x 40" | 250 lbs |
|
Teresa Lind (Chilton, WI) |
54" x 38" x 38" | 500 lbs |
|
Bill McGrath (Batavia, IL) |
72" x 20" x 72" | 700 lbs |
|
Ruth Aizuss Migdal (Chicago, IL) |
12' x 13' x 8' | 4,500 lbs |
|
Christopher Newman (Chicago, IL) |
12' x 2' 9" x 2' 7.5" | 750 lbs |
|
Christopher Newman (Chicago, IL) |
13' x 2.5' x 3' | 250 lbs |
|
Christopher Newman (Chicago, IL) |
9' x 12' x 12' | 450 lbs |
|
Bruce Niemi (Kenosha, WI) |
10' x 4' x 3.6' | 750 lbs |
|
Bruce Niemi (Kenosha, WI) |
9.5' x 8' x 3' | 450 lbs |
|
Bruce Niemi (Kenosha, WI) |
17' x 11' x 7' | 1,200 lbs |
|
Ben Pierce (Cape Girardeau, MO) |
8' x 3' x 3' | 450 lbs |
Rock River Public Art Walk
Enjoy viewing an impressive collection of public art while getting the benefits of refreshing outdoor exercise by taking the two-mile self-guided Art walk along the Rock River that launches from Nicholas Conservatory.
CLICK HERE to download a Rockford Park District map of other public works of art in Rockford.
We hope you share your photos of the sculptures using #gorockford on social media!