Art on the River exhibit opening scheduled for July 14

The Opening Reception for the 2011-2012 Art on the River Sculpture Exhibit on Thursday, July 14, at 5:00 p.m. at the Grand River Center.

The public is invited to attend the reception, which will feature the announcement of the $1,000 cash award for Best of Show, chosen by a panel of three jurists. There will be a brief program, the opportunity to visit with the artists and jury, and a walking tour of the exhibit. The celebration will feature hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar.

In its sixth year, the temporary public art exhibit drew 70 entries from 39 artists in 12 different states and one foreign country. The works will be installed along the Mississippi Riverwalk and in front of the Grand River Center at the Port of Dubuque and will be on display until the end of June 2012.

The following pieces were chosen for this highly competitive exhibit through a blind judging process:

• “Mohawk,” by Donald Noon, Streator, Ill., is a Corten steel sculpture that reflects Native American culture through the use of amorphous shapes.

• “Trickledown,” by Gail Simpson and Aristotle Georgiades of Stoughton, Wis., is a cedar steel, mulch, and sand structure that was inspired by the current economic situation.

• “7:45 and Don't Be Late,” by John Martinson, Galena, Ill., is made of welded steel scraps and artifacts and illustrates the commotion in one's mind when there's too much going on.

• “The Sinking of S.S. Innocence by Jason Sandberg,” Madison, Wis., explores the relationship between violent childhood play and adult fighting.

• “Whispering Stones,” by Kees Ouwens, Seiyo City, Ehime, Japan, is constructed of bolted beams of steel rods with granite stone sculptures placed on top.

• “Wishing Well,” by Jeremy Rudd, Dyersville, Iowa, is made of wood and steel and is a visual allegory based on the artist's observations of large scale irrigation well systems and the land formations around them.

• “Exhaling Dissolution,” by Sarah Deppe, Maquoketa, Iowa, is a sculpture made of cottonwood bark the artist collected and was inspired by the artist's concern for the environment.

• “Stride,” by Beth Nybeck, Kansas City, Mo., is a steel sculpture that exposes the awkward isolation of moving onward as a unique individual.

• “Twist and Shout,” by Andrew Arvanetes, Chicago, Ill., is made of stainless steel and reflects the artist's return to the Midwest after living away.

• “Asteray,” by Nicole Beck, Chicago, Ill., is made of stainless steel and suggests flora, fauna, or a comet just before earthly impact.

For additional information, please contact Jan Stoffel, Arts and Cultural Affairs Coordinator, at 563-690-6064 or 563-589-4110 or at janstoff@cityofdubuque.org.

Art on the River web page