2023-2024 Art on the River Exhibit SelectionsCopyrighted
June 5, 2023
City of Dubuque Consent Items # 08.
City Council Meeting
ITEM TITLE: 2023-2024 Art on the River Exhibit Selections
SUMMARY: City Manager recommending City Council approval of the Arts & Cultural
Affairs Advisory Commission's recommendation for the 2023-2024 Art
on the River sculpture selections.
SUGGESTED Suggested Disposition: Receive and File; Approve
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
MVM Memo City Manager Memo
Staff Memo Staff Memo
Selections Supporting Documentation
THE C
DUjIBQTE
Masterpiece on the Mississippi
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
SUBJECT: 2023-2024 Art on the River Exhibit Selections
DATE: May 31, 2023
Dubuque
WAWca 914
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2007-2012.2013
2017*2019
Economic Development Director Jill Connors recommends City Council approval of the
Arts & Cultural Affairs Advisory Commission's recommendation for the 2023-2024 Art
on the River sculpture selections:
1. Tim Adams, "Oxbow Reimagined"
2. Tim Adams, "Serpentine Insect Hostel"
3. Jarod Charzewski, "Fender Bender"
4. Gail Chavenelle, "Toward Our Future"
5. Damon Hamm, "From —Orion"
6. Matt Moyer, "Diverted Pump"
7. Evan Prosch, "Reflective Permutations"
8. Timothy Sprengelmeyer, "The Gleaming Cube"
9. Bilhenry Walker, "Cosmic Slot"
10.V. Skip Willits, "Stainless River Marker"
11. Chris Wubbena, "This is Her"
The 2023-2024 Art on the River Exhibit will be the City's 17t" edition of hosting this
popular rotating exhibit of large-scale sculptural public art along the Mississippi
Riverwalk in the Port of Dubuque. Each year, the program cultivates a new open-air
gallery and community events that engage residents and visitors in a multi -faceted
experience of one of our most significant and unique attractions, the Mississippi River.
The 2023-2024 exhibit will be on display from August 4, 2023 through late July 2024.
I concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
approval.
v
Micha I C. Van Milligen
MCVM:sv
Attachment
cc: Crenna Brumwell, City Attorney
Cori Burbach, Assistant City Manager
Jill Connors, Economic Development Director
Dubuque
THE CITY OF kzftA
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2007-2012.2013
Masterpiece on the Mississippi 2017*2019
TO: Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
FROM: Jill M. Connors, Economic Development Director
SUBJECT: 2023-2024 Art on the River Exhibit Selections
DATE: May 30, 2023
Economic Development
Department
1300 Main Street
Dubuque, Iowa 52001-4763
Office (563) 589-4393
TTY (563) 690-6678
http://www.cityofdubuque.org
INTRODUCTION
This memorandum transmits to City Council the selected sculptures for the 2023-2024
Art on the River Exhibit.
BACKGROUND
The 2023-2024 Art on the River Exhibit will be the City's 17th edition of hosting this popular
rotating exhibit of large-scale sculptural public art along the Mississippi Riverwalk in the
Port of Dubuque. Each year, the program cultivates a new open-air gallery and
community events that engage residents and visitors in a multi -faceted experience of one
of our most significant and unique attractions, the Mississippi River. Sculptures are
sourced through an open call and available for private purchase for a period of one year.
The 2023-2024 exhibit will be on display from August 4, 2023 through late July 2024.
Art on the River is produced annually and promoted through the Office of Arts & Cultural
Affairs in tandem with community volunteers and City staff. The current Art on the River
Planning Committee includes Commissioner Tom Robbins; community members Mary
Armstrong, Gina Siegert, and Ryan Decker; and City staff members Jill Connors, Kelli
Buchenau, and Mike Williams. The Planning Committee, in concurrence with the
Commission, set forth the following process to arrive at this year's recommendation.
AOTR sculptures are identified through a national open call for art and community -driven
selection process. Program guidelines are posted online and advertised broadly. Any
interested artist can submit up to 3 entries for consideration at no cost through our online
application portal. There is generally a 6-week window between when the call is released
and when submissions are due. This year our temporary public art exhibit drew 32 entries
from 22 artists in 10 different states and Canada.
A panel of three experienced artists was apprised of the "Illuminate & Innovate" theme
and reviewed the submissions with an eye to both physical and artistic quality, and in
relation to the theme, resulting in 11 selections and several alternates. This year's
community juror panel included:
• Jenni Petersen -Brant — Former City of Dubuque Arts & Cultural Affairs Manager,
Director of Communications at Greater Dubuque Development Corporation
• Sarah Deppe — Adjunct Assistant Professor of Art, Beloit College
• Jeremy Rudd — Owner and Operator of Jeremy Rudd Art and Design LLC, Former
Art on the River exhibitor
Information that identifies the applying artist is absent from the process to support
unbiased review of applications. Panelists independently review, score, and comment on
submissions based on the criteria below:
• Theme Appropriateness: How well does the sculpture speak, both visually and
through the artist's statements, to the "Illuminate & Innovate" theme?
• Creativity: Does the making or presentation of the work demonstrate innovative,
original approaches in bold, thoughtful, and / or well -crafted ways?
• Aesthetic Value: Will the work arrest the public's attention? To what degree will
the work add to the Riverwalk's natural or built landscape?
After all scores were entered and then reviewed by City staff, panelists met virtually with
staff to collectively curate the exhibit based on said scoring and potential sculpture
locations. Further curating of the exhibit to confirm location placement will occur during
a June 6t" on -site meeting of panelists with Economic Development and Public Works
staff.
Recommendation: The panelists' recommendation of 11 sculptures for exhibit was
presented to the Commission for consideration on May 23, 2023. Prior to Commission
review, the recommendation was vetted by Public Works staff. No installation concerns
have been noted at this time. The Commission unanimously voted on May 23, 2023 to
approve the panel's recommendation as follows:
1. Tim Adams, "Oxbow Reimagined"
2. Tim Adams, "Serpentine Insect Hostel"
3. Jarod Charzewski, "Fender Bender"
4. Gail Chavenelle, "Toward Our Future"
5. Damon Hamm, "From Orion"
6. Matt Moyer, "Diverted Pump"
7. Evan Prosch, "Reflective Permutations"
8. Timothy Sprengelmeyer, "The Gleaming Cube"
2
9. Bilhenry Walker, "Cosmic Slot"
10. V. Skip Willits, "Stainless River Marker"
11. Chris Wubbena, "This is Her"
The panelists selected several alternates, however decided to not put forward specific
recommendations until knowing if/which pieces from the original recommended slate
were not available.
Artist agreements have been reviewed by the City Attorney's Office and have been
presented to artists for signature and will be forwarded to the City Manager for execution.
BUDGETIMPACTS
There are no new budget impacts associated with this request. The request uses
approved FY24 budget allocations dedicated to Art on the River; the FY24 Art on the
River budget provides up to 11 stipends of $1,800 per sculpture with travel
reimbursements of up to $200 per artist.
RECOMMENDATIONS
Staff requests City Council concurrence with the Arts & Cultural Affairs Advisory
Commission's recommendation noted above related to the 2023-2024 Art on the River
exhibit.
3
2023-24 ART ON THE RIVER
I
Illuminate & Innovate
"Illuminate & Innovate" has been selected as the theme for the 2023-24 exhibit by the Art on the River
planning committee and is described as follows:
"As the Key City, Dubuque, Iowa is a community that has historically served as a beacon of progress, forward
momentum, and a bright tomorrow. Whether innovating in the industries of shot, lumber and lead, moving
America by water, wheel or rail, or reflecting deeply to collectively address social issues, the Dubuque community
strives to light the way to a future that is sustainable and resilient. Our community of the future is one that is
inclusive, equitable, connected, active and vibrant.
With that vision in mind, the City of Dubuque welcomes and encourages submissions for existing andlor proposed
3D public art works that reflect upon and embody the theme and ideas of innovation and illumination. Special
consideration may be given for creative works that interact, emanate, or otherwise play with natural or generated
light. With this exhibit, we hope to highlight our successes and aspirations as a community and shine a light on the
future!"
2023-24 ART ON THE RIVER
THIS IS HER
DIMENSIONS: 3' 10" x 2'9" x 97'
MATERIALS: Fabricated out of durable
gauge stainless steel with
four tabs welded to the
bottom allowing for easy
drilling to set concrete
anchors into a cement
footing.
2023-24 ART ON THE RIVER
DIVERTED PUMP
DIMENSIONS: 6` x 2` x 1 A'
MATERIALS: The sculpture is built from
12g steel with internal
gusseting to support it's
structure.
Has a heavy duty enamel
that has been coated with a
melted wax that resists
corrosion and rust run-off.
2023-24 ART ON THE RIVER
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FROM ORION
DIMENSIONS: 3' 10" x 2'9" x 97'
MATERIALS: Built from 304 stainless
steel and designed with
weep holes for
condensation and water
drainage.
Fabricated by professional
art fabrication company
ART Research Enterprises in
Lancaster, PA.
2023-24 ART ON THE RIVER
STAINLESS RIVER
MARKER
DIMENSIONS: 72" x 43" x 40"
MATERIALS: Stainless steel.
Welded with Eutechtic 680
rod it meets and exceeds
all industry standards for
sustainability and durability.
It is constructed with safe
outdoor viewing in mind.
2023-24 ART ON THE RIVER
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OXBOW REIMAGINED
DIMENSIONS: 4'W x 4'D x 10'H
MATERIALS: Fabricated using the lexan
and aluminum.
The edges of the piece are
smooth and safe to the
touch.
Materials have been used
in several pieces and
proven to be durable and
safe.
2023-24 ART ON THE RIVER
COSMIC SLOT
DIMENSIONS: 2` x 1 ` x 10'
MATERIALS: Fabricated by a fabrication
company in Milwaukee.
Interior of this sculpture is
illuminated by a 6'strip of
LED lighting.
It can be powered by either
120V (preferred) or solar
panel.
2023-24 ART ON THE RIVER
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REFLECTIVE
PERMUTATIONS
DIMENSIONS: 26.50" x 37.48" x 86.00"
MATERIALS: Constructed of 0.125" thick
stainless steel sheets welded
together into a series of
cubes.
2023-24 ART ON THE RIVER
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THE GLEAMING CUBE
DIMENSIONS: 42" x 42" x 58"
MATERIALS: Made of stainless steel, so it
will maintain its structural
integrity without corroding
as other materials would.
There is an internal structure
of bracing inside of the
sculpture to provide
additional rigidity and
stability.
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2023-24 ART ON THE RIVER
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TOWARD OUR FUTURE
DIMENSIONS: 7 — 7.5'H x 30-32"W x 16-
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MATERIALS: Constructed of steel plate
with open spaces, rather
than a solid form.
2023-24 ART ON THE RIVER