Take a sculpture walk through DTOP
You may have noticed a massive smiling cicada on Lake Street in front of the Lake Theatre, a blossoming blue metal flower in front of Chase Bank, or flying red wings in front of Trader Joe’s. These are just a few of the sculptures adorning the Oak Park area. The Oak Park Area Arts Council hand-picked these public art installations just for Downtown Oak Park.
Our district was one of the first areas to host the Sculpture Walk. According to Camille Wilson White, Executive Director of Oak Park Area Arts Council, “The Sculpture Walk adds to the energy, beauty, and FUN of the Downtown Oak Park District! We selected Downtown Oak Park because it is such a successful business district.”
Take in public art that is accessible and available to everyone
There are 14 pieces in Downtown Oak Park and the Pleasant Home District; we have compiled a list of the pieces and their locations.
1. Shencheng Xu, “Swing Time “ –Albion Apartments (Lake & Forest)
2. Shencheng Xu, “Free as a Cicada – Lake Theater (Lake Street)
3. Hilde DeBryune, “Blossom” – Chase Bank (Lake & Marion)
4. Jennifer Meyer, “Peace & Love” – Crepas Culichi (Lake & Marion)
“The inspiration behind all of my found object sculptures is recycling. The sculptures currently on display in Oak Park have been created from many of my personal discards. For example, inside the sculpture “Peace & Love” are the broken exhaust pipes from my truck when they had to be replaced.”
5. Bethany Cordero, “Saints’ Rest” – Crosswalk (Lake Street)
6. Jennifer Meyer, “Bike Flowers” – Byline Bank (Lake & Forest)
“My great hope is that when art is made easily accessible to a general public audience, it inspires an appreciation or understanding that might not be acquired when displayed in a less public venue. Particularly in the recycled materials category, there is greater potential to ignite environmental thoughtfulness regarding personal waste and discards.
7. Bill McGrath, “Angles, Shadows Reaching” – Emerson Apartments (Westgate)
8. Nathan Pierce, “Serene” – Fleet Feet (Marion)
9. Paul Bowbrowitz, “Music is My Muse” – Polished Nails & Day Spa (North Blvd & Marion)
“I am often inspired by found objects screaming out to me what they want to be transformed into. In the case of my sculptures, currently, in Oak Park, music is always booming inside my workspace, and although I’m close to functionally deaf, that is a mood-altering background enhancer for me, as are my relationships with family, friends, and everyone I meet.”
10. Paul Bowbrowitz, “Jubilation” – Oak Park Jewelers (South Blvd. & Marion)
“I feel exhibiting in a public venue shows my perspective on art, stimulates an emotional reaction from those viewing mine or anyone’s artwork, and occasionally raises awareness of an artist’s work.”
11. Cody Norman, “Plasticus umbris” – Porter Apartments (Pleasant)
12. Ron Gard, “I ams what I ams” – Viaduct (Marion & South Blvd)
13. Pat Mc Donald, “Red Rings” – Trader Joe’s (Ontario & Harlem)
14. Tia Etu “Kaleidiscope” – sweetgreen (Lake & Maple)
15. Jennifer Meyer, “Reaching for the Sun” – Chipotle (Lake)
Take a virtual tour of the 2024 DTOP Sculpture Walk
The OTOCAST is a free app allowing you to take a virtual exhibition tour. For more information on the Oak Park Area Arts Council, visit their website at oakparkareaartscouncil.org.