Longtime St. Charles residents Diana Brown and Gloria Klimek aren’t artists, rather they consider themselves the kind of people who appreciate art and how it can add beauty to their community.
A love of art, and a team of individuals united in the belief that art can improve a space and be enjoyed by all is what has driven the now legacy of Sculpture in the Park, celebrating its 20th season of an outdoor art gallery in Mt. St. Mary Park in downtown St. Charles.
“It’s a very lovely location. It’s the perfect setting,” Brown said.
Brown and Klimek have been with the project since its inception, as members of what started as the Public Art Committee with the Downtown St. Charles Partnership in 2006. The aim would be to create an art exhibit that would draw visitors to the downtown business district. The nearby park, Mt. St. Mary Park, was selected for its location and layout.
“It’s the perfect choice,” Klimek said.
Through the years the committee and the organizations have evolved, but the heart of the program to bring art for the people has remained at the center of the focus.
The longevity of the project can be traced to its foundation and those who were supportive of the project in its early years, Brown said. Individuals such as James O. Breen, the former executive director of the St. Charles Park District championed the art program and local sculptor Ray Kobald helped to raise awareness among fellow artists.
The Sculpture in the Park Committee is supported by the St. Charles Park District and St. Charles Park Foundation with the continuous financial assistance from the City of St. Charles’ Visitors Cultural Commission.
Local artists as well as those around the country share their work in Sculpture in the Park. Today, the exhibit is on display for a year, giving visitors the opportunity to enjoy pieces through each season.
Members of the Sculpture in the Park Committee select the entries each year, reviewing artist submissions. Klimek said in the first year there were 10 entries and today, that has grown substantially up to 30 submissions this year. The committee members review the entries as a blind submission, meaning they review the pieces without knowing the artist behind the work, to ensure a fair review. Fifteen are selected for the annual showcase.
Members of the committee and the public will have a chance to meet the artists at the Artists Reception on Friday, July 17 at Mt. St. Mary Park. Reservations for the event can be made at the St. Charles Park District website, stcparks.org/events. Admission is free.
Among the artists for this summer’s event will be Batavia resident Bill McGrath. A former lawyer and Batavia City Administrator, McGrath has found a new endeavor in metal sculpting. From inside an industrial space in Batavia, he welds and melds metals into sculptures.
“It’s very tactile,” McGrath said, adding with a quip he’s had to brush up on his geometry.
A few years back, with his retirement on the horizon and inspired by other local metal sculpting artists, he decided to follow his interest and he took a welding class at College of DuPage. He’s found incredible mentors in fellow artists who inspire, like sculpture Bruce White of DeKalb, whom he honored in this year’s show entry, 2 Ways to Reach the Prize Thanks Bruce White, featuring some leftover pieces from White that McGrath worked with to create his sculpture.
For Sculpture in the Park, there is no theme. Each artist submits their pieces consideration based on individual merit.
“Every show is different,” McGrath said.
McGrath said the Fox Valley communities have a great appreciation for the arts, and exhibits like Sculpture in the Park that have a positive economic development impact as well as enhancing the beauty for our towns.
Through the years artists and benefactors have donated art, allowing it to remain in the park and become some of the most beloved and enjoyed pieces. The first one, donated by the Ray Kobald family, was the bronze turtle “By The River’s Edge” by John Kobald. The first one purchased was “Interim X” by the late Bruce Niemi. And Sculpture in the Park wouldn’t be quite the same without “Mr. Eggwards” by Kimber Fiebiger, facing Route 31 and smiling at all who pass by.
What began as a shared appreciation for art has grown into a lasting community treasure. Through years of dedication, collaboration and passion, Sculpture in the Park has transformed Mt. St. Mary Park into an outdoor gallery enjoyed by thousands each year. The sculptures may be made of bronze, steel and stone, but the true legacy of the program is the sense of wonder, connection and pride it brings to the St. Charles community.