Second Round of Downtown Sculptures - Macomb, IL - News Article Locations on Waymarking.com

County of article: McDonough County
Location of site: Lafayette St & Adams St., Macomb
Site piece: Sculpture called "Emancipation"
Artist: Ron Gard
publication: WIU Public Radio

"Last year's sculptures are gone and eight new ones have taken their places around Macomb's downtown area. Downtown Development Director Kristen Terry said the debut of the outdoor exhibit last year was a huge success, drawing people from out of town to the downtown.

“There were three other communities about an hour away from us that noticed that we did a sculpture exhibition in downtown and they wanted to start one in their own community. So they were looking at us, they came to our town to see what we had and how they could start it in their community," Terry said.

"Terry said there were numerous artist submissions this year. Terry worked with Western Illinois University Associate Professor of Art Duke Oursler to narrow down the list to the eight sculptures that are on display.

"Terry said she is happy with the response that the community gave to the first round of sculptures last year.

'“It was amazing because even if it was negative, positive, whatever, it still was the purpose people came downtown, and it doesn’t matter which way they viewed it. And I do think that a lot more people see how much it does brighten your area and your community. Because when we did take down the sculptures, some community members couldn’t believe that we would be taking them down," she said.

"The sculptures are available for purchase. Twenty percent of the proceeds from the sale goes back to the city. Terry said that money would be put into specific fund to help pay for next year’s exhibition.

"None of last year's sculptures sold." ~ WIU Tri-State Public Radio

Article in the newpaper for the Western Illinois Univeristy is more specific on the placement of this one piece of sculpture