New Art on the River Exhibit Opening Event on Aug. 2

DUBUQUE, Iowa – Ten new sculptures have been selected for the City of Dubuque’s 14th annual public art exhibit, Art on the River. The theme for the 2019-20 temporary exhibit is “The Mississippi Magnified” and focuses on artists and artwork that draw inspiration from the people, culture, beauty, and magnitude of the mighty Mississippi River. 

The unique works of art will be installed later this month around the Grand River Center and along the Mississippi Riverwalk at the Port of Dubuque. The opening reception for the exhibit will be held on Friday, August 2, from 5:00-7:30 p.m. at the Grand River Center Terrace. The event is free, family friendly, and open to the public.  

The event will also include an audio/visual presentation of an excerpt from the Dubuque Symphony Orchestra’s March 2019 “On Water” performance featuring water-themed photos taken by over 30 local photographers. Also new to this year’s event will be a “Mississippi Magnified Fashion Show,” presented by PS Styling in partnership with Inclusive Dubuque.  The show will model fashions and accessories reflective of the river’s color, pattern, and ecosystem. This multicultural show will follow the opening ceremony at the Grand River Center and the Mississippi Riverwalk will serve as its runway. 

The following sculptures, listed in alphabetical order, were selected for this year’s exhibit:

The curator for the 2019-2020 Art on the River exhibit is Pamela J. White of Moline, Ill.  White reviewed the submissions with an eye to both physical and artistic quality and their relationship to the theme.  She recommended pieces according to the standard guidelines stipulated by the City’s Arts and Cultural Affairs Commission, which made the final selection.  White holds a juris doctorate from the University of Missouri at Kansas City and a Ph.D. in art history from the University of Kansas. She worked in museums for more than 25 years, serving as curator and director. She is currently the director of the Museum Studies Graduate Program for Western Illinois University. In addition, White consults for the University of Iowa for their Art in State Buildings Program, a post she has held for over 20 years.

The new exhibit will be displayed until July 2020.  All the sculptures are for sale and can be installed in both indoor and outdoor areas. Pieces featured in the current 2018-2019 Art on the River “Driftless” Exhibit, consisting of six works of sculpture, are available for purchase and still eligible for the annual People’s Choice award. To vote for your favorite, or for additional information, visit www.cityofdubuque.org/artontheriver.  

Art on the River is part of the Dubuque City Council’s Arts and Culture initiative and has exhibited over 110 pieces in the Port of Dubuque, to date.  The exhibit is free, can be viewed sunrise to sunset year-round, and is accessible. Visitors are encouraged to download the free, GPS-enabled Otocast app for an audio tour of the exhibit.  For additional information, please contact Economic Development Director Jill Connors at 563.589.4393 or jilconno@cityofdubuque.org. 

# # #