Art on the River Selections Announced, Reception Planned for Aug. 9

The 2024 - 2025 theme "Culture & Conversation" is meant to engage the community in conversations with each other and the artists behind the works; to encourage, challenge, and educate; help overcome barriers; and foster economic growth and community prosperity.

Spanning the length of the Mississippi Riverwalk in the Port of Dubuque, the sculptures will be installed in late July 2024 and be on display through July 2025. All Art on the River sculptures are available for purchase with a portion of artwork sales retained to sustain the Art on the River program, which is currently funded through the City's general operating budget.

The following sculptures, listed in alphabetical order by artwork title, will be featured in this year's exhibit:

• "Action Reaction" by Chris Wubbena, Jackson, MO
• "Air Garden II" by Steve Buduo, Providence, RI
• "Allura" by Nathan Pierce, Cape Girardeau, MO
• "Drop" by John Bannon, Chicago, IL
• "Grace" David Zahn, Moline, IL
• "Harmony" by Mark Hall, Kasota, MN
• "If You Build It…" by Amelia Gotera, Cedar Falls, IA
• "Intersections" by Luke Achterberg, Onalaska, WI
• "Longing" by Jeremy Rudd, Dyersville, IA
• "Prairie Tussocks" by Tim Adams, Webster City, IA
• "When A Man's An Empty Kettle" by Andrew Arvanetes, Kankakee, IL

A community jury panel selected the sculptures from a pool of 52 applications from 31 artists representing 11 states in the U.S. and one from India. The panel, chosen for their expertise and involvement in the arts and community development efforts, included:

• Joseph Madrigal - Associate Professor of Art and Visual and performing Arts Department Head, Luther College, Decorah, IA
• Troy Aiken - Assistant Professor of Art, Clarke University, Dubuque, IA
• Dan Perry - Coordinator, Public Art Incubator and Sculpture Faculty, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA

A reception celebrating the selected works and their creators will be held on Friday, Aug. 9, from 5 - 7 p.m. at the Grand River Center, 500 Bell Street. The evening will commence with live music, light hors d'oeuvres, and a cash bar on the patio of the Grand River Center. The reception is free to attend, family-friendly, and open to the public. In case of inclement weather, reception activities may be scaled back and held indoors at the Grand River Center.

Art on the River is part of the Dubuque City Council's ongoing efforts to foster diverse arts and cultural experiences that will improve the social and cultural vibrancy of the community. Since its inception, the program has featured 165 sculptures representing the work of nearly 120 artists at the Port of Dubuque. A 90-acre riverfront campus welcomes over 200,000 visitors each year with attractions like the National Mississippi River Museum and Aquarium, the Grand River Center, Grand Harbor Resort and Waterpark, Diamond Jo Casino, the historic Dubuque Star Brewery, Dubuque Shot Tower, and the Port of Dubuque Marina.

For more information, visit www.cityofdubuque.org/artontheriver or call 563-513-5636.

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