This bronze statue created by artist Dennis Downes of Antioch was dedicated and blessed during a ceremony on Main Street in downtown Antioch Saturday.
Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
A 7-foot bronze sculpture of a trail marker tree was installed Saturday as a public art display on Main Street in Antioch.
Village officials commissioned the $35,000 sculpture as a year-round display and learning tool for history and culture, according to Mayor Larry Hanson.
It was created by local artist and author Dennis Downes to represent the ancient form of land and water navigational aids as well as markers for Native American tribes, fur traders and early pioneers that once populated the area.
Downes, who has spent decades documenting and educating about these historical icons, was present to share his knowledge. The event included a blessing ceremony by guests Hilda "Little Fawn" Williams and Tribe Elder Andrew Johnson, and was filmed by Emmy Award-winning director and producer Gary Donatelli, as part of a documentary on trail marker trees.
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Artist and author Dennis Downes of Antioch, center, raises his arms as his bronze trail marker statue is unveiled by Antioch Mayor Larry Hanson, left, during a dedication and blessing ceremony on Main Street in downtown Antioch Saturday.
Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
Mario Torres of Oak Park and the Otomi Maya tribe holds an eagle staff during a dedication and blessing ceremony for a bronze sculpture of a trail marker tree on Main Street in downtown Antioch Saturday.
Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
Artist and author Dennis Downes of Antioch says a few words during a dedication and blessing ceremony of his bronze sculpture of a trail marker tree on Main Street in downtown Antioch Saturday.
Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com
Andrew Johnson, right, of the Cherokee tribe and president of the Native American Chamber of Commerce of Illinois, blesses a bronze sculpture of a trail marker tree during a ceremony on Main Street in downtown Antioch Saturday.
Steve Lundy/slundy@dailyherald.com