Art on the River Selections Announced, Reception Planned for August 4

July 19, 2023 - For Immediate Release

Eleven new sculptures have been selected for the City of Dubuque’s 17th edition of its annual temporary public art exhibit,?Art on the River. The theme for the 2023-24 exhibit is “Innovate & Illuminate.” As the "Key City," Dubuque 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.
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Sculptures will be installed later this month and span the length of the Mississippi Riverwalk in the Port of Dubuque. The new exhibit will be displayed through late July 2024.? All the sculptures are available for purchase with a portion of artwork sales retained to sustain the Art on the River program, which is currently funded through the City of Dubuque’s general operating budget.
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The following sculptures, listed in alphabetical order by artwork title, will be featured in this year’s exhibit:

“Comic Slot” by Bilhenry Walker of Milwaukee, WI
“Diverted Pump”?by Matt Moyer of Columbia MO
“FROM_ORION” by Damon Hamm of New York, NY
“Illumination Through Reflection” by Dan Alderman and Evan Prosch of Dubuque, IA
“Oxbow Reimagined” by Tim Adams of Webster City, IA
“Reflective Permutations” by Evan Prosch of Dubuque, IA
“Serpentine Insect Hostel” by Tim Adams of Webster City, IA
“Stainless River Marker” by Skip Willits of Camanche, IA
“The Gleaming Cube” by Timothy Sprengelmeyer of Dubuque, IA
“This is Her” by Chris Wubbena of Jackson, MO
“Toward our Future” by Gail Chavenelle of Dubuque, IA

A community jury panel selected the sculptures from a pool of 32 applications from 22 artists representing 10 states in the U.S. and Canada. The panel, chosen for their expertise and involvement in the arts and community development efforts, 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, Former Art on the River exhibitor
Jeremy Rudd – Owner and Operator of Jeremy Rudd Art and Design LLC, Former Art on the River exhibitor

A reception celebrating the selected works and their creators will be held on Friday, Aug. 4, from 5 - 7 p.m. at the Grand River Center, 500 Bell Street. The evening will commence with live music by JazzQ, featuring faculty from Northeast Iowa School of Music, light hors d’oeuvres, and a cash bar on the patio of the Grand River Center.

At 5:30 p.m., there will be a welcome by Mayor Pro Tem Katy Wethal, artist acknowledgements, and the presentation of the People’s Choice and Best of Show Awards. The Tri-State Wind Symphony will perform a concert following the reception at 7 p.m. in the Alliant Amphitheater.

The reception is free to attend, family-friendly, and open to the public. In case of inclement weather, reception activities may be scaled back and held indoors at the Grand River Center.

Art on the River is part of the Dubuque City Council’s ongoing efforts to foster diverse arts and culture experiences that will improve the social and cultural vibrancy of the community. Since its inception, the program has featured 154 sculptures representing the work of nearly 100 artists at the Port of Dubuque. A 90-acre riverfront campus welcomes 200,000+ visitors each year with features like the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, the Grand River Center, Grand Harbor Resort and Waterpark, Diamond Jo Casino, the historic Dubuque Star Brewery, Dubuque Shot Tower, and the Port of Dubuque Marina.

For more information, visit www.cityofdubuque.org/artontheriver or contact City of Dubuque Arts & Cultural Affairs Manager Bonnie Spurling at bspurlin@cityofdubuque.org or 563.513.5636.

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