Countering Champaign’s bold move of mid-September, Urbana has announced its most recent play in the tacit struggle for the title of most-art-supportive town. A two-pronged maneuver, Meadowbrook park will be fortified with another sculpture and have an existing sculpture moved “for better viewing”.
A side-effect of this strategy is that it will also reinvigorate the Hickman Wildflower Walk, as both sculptures will be planted with surrounding wildflowers.
Tall Ships II, left, by Wisconsin artist Bruce Neimi, will be newly placed alongside the east end of the organic gardens near the Walk. Molecular Reflections will be relocated to the intersection of the Wildflower Walk and the Wendell Sculpture Garden.
These movements are planned for October 14th, with a rain date of October 26th. Perhaps Champaign will be able to retaliate before winter prevents any further art installations, or perhaps Urbana will have the last word…for now.
Although neither town’s government has confirmed this contention to exist anywhere other than in my own head, this is a war that everyone wins, and I truly look forward to admiring Meadowbrook’s new configuration.