Four new sculptures deliver different shapes and styles to Rockford’s public art scene

By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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• Below: See all the new sculptures at the bottom of this story

ROCKFORD — To some, the new steel sculptures at the corner of Main and Mulberry streets may look like off-kilter eyes. Others may see a pair of plants, or amorphous people.

The official name is “Rachel and Steve,” but don’t draw too much from that. What you see is entirely up to you — just ask the artist.

“That’s what I like about them,” said John V. McNamara, a union sheet metal worker by day who has been sculpting for 30 years. “They’re so ambiguous or polymorphous that they could be whatever you think they are.”

Related: There’s something bunny about new public art in downtown Rockford

The roughly 11- and 9-foot tall sculptures are among four that were installed Thursday around the city. Three were placed near downtown and a fourth was installed on the city’s North End, just south of the North and Main streets roundabout between The Goat Pub and Grill and West Side Show Room. A fifth new sculpture, depicting a gold bunny with a furrowed brow popping out of a magician’s hat, was installed last Friday near Rockford City Market.

“I love that there’s some new shapes this year,” said Kristen Paul, executive vice president of the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. “They’re all totally different styles and different shapes and things that we’ve never had, from the rabbit to the arch to this giant beast that’s down by the river. It’s a fun year for sculpture.”

The sculptures are placed throughout the city through an initiative of the Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau. They are typically leased for a period of two years, with the lease paid for through donations and sponsorships. Some, such as the bunny, are permanently secured through donations.

The sculptures were installed with the help of Scott Ware of Ware Crane & Rigging and his team, which volunteers their equipment and time.

There are now 16 sculptures around the city that are part of the visitors bureau’s initiative. The artists can come from across the country or, like McNamara, call Rockford their hometown. Yes, McNamara is from that McNamara family. He’s the oldest of six children of Barbara and the late former mayor John McNamara. Mayor Tom McNamara is the youngest.

John V. McNamara, 56, who also has a piece called “Lantern” on display at South Main and Green streets, said it’s an honor to have his work displayed in his hometown.

“I’m kind of a hermit compared to other McNamaras,” he said. “I just like to be under the radar, but I like to contribute in my own way.”

Ben Pierce, who hails from Missouri, is a U.S. military veteran who find sculpting to be a sanctuary as he grappled with mental health issues. His work, “Hold Me Up,” is fittingly displayed near Veterans Memorial Circle and a mural honoring veterans that was completed last year.

“It really ties it all together and is a great feeling,” Paul said.

The new sculptures were installed as the visitors bureau prepares for a three-day CRE8IV Music & Arts Fest, which celebrates the end of a five-year initiative to bring murals to blank building walls around the region. The sculptures tie in to the larger goal of inspiring creativity and a sense of place with public art.

“It brings in new works of art, exposes us to new artists, and they’re not always in the same place,” said John Groh, president and CEO of the visitors bureau. “It further enhances that feeling that we’re trying to generate of creativity, vibrancy and new spaces.”

Here’s a look at the new sculptures below:

‘Hold Me Up’

By: Ben Pierce

Location: South of the Auburn and Main streets roundabout on the west side of North Main Street

Sponsored by: Tom and Darlene Furst, Liz Dickinson and Gerrie Gustafson

‘Next Millennium Gate’

By: Jim Galluci

Location: On the west bank of the Rock River behind the Luther Center apartments

‘Steve and Rachel’

By: John V. McNamara

Location: Main and Mulberry streets near the former Trekk building and 27 Aluna

‘Keyhole Flutter Gateway’

By: Jim Galluci

Location: The corner of Wyman and Elm streets near the BMO Center

‘Magical Thinking’

By: Actual Size Artworks

Location: Rockford City Market near Disco Chicken

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas