Artists abuzz about Naperville's outdoor art project
Area artists are buzzing about this year's outdoor art project in Naperville.
Creative types started picking up their insect and frog sculptures Monday to begin work on their masterpieces for the United Way. The artwork will be on display downtown this summer.
"They absolutely totally exceeded our expectations. They're so darling," project co-chairwoman Debbie Rigdon said. "I think they're going to be so spectacular."
None of the artists showed up first thing in the morning when the doors opened, which Rigdon attributed to the weather. However, some of them trickled in later in the day to pick up their insects and others had them delivered to their studios.
The ladybug playhouses, butterfly birdbaths, dragonfly benches and frog chairs will soon be clothed in color for the Garden Party public art project.
Project Co-chairwoman Maureen Baier said the critters seemed like a good fit for people's gardens and the frog has hopped it's way onto the list of sponsors' favorites this year.
The oversized insects were created especially for Naperville and meant to be functional, according to Rigdon. They will be on display downtown from about Memorial Day to Labor Day, then auctioned Sept. 12.
United Way is hoping to raise at least $100,000 for charity in its eighth year of the outdoor public art project.
For artist Kathy Bryan-Swim, the first stop after picking up her dragonfly bench Monday morning was the library to do some research.
She will likely go with either a patriotic or nature theme for her sculpture, which is sponsored by International Truck and Engine Corp.
This year's creatures have broader surface areas to paint, which she said will give artists a much better canvas than past years.
"I think it's going to be one of the best ones yet," she said. "I think it has more appeal and I think that they'll be more sellable and usable."
While some will be painting their bugs, artist Merike Adams will be creating a glass mosaic on a ladybug house.
"I like this because … I think of (a) spring theme and fun, especially for children, like the ladybug house will be," she said.
Sue Schofield will be lending her creativity to the project for her eighth year, designing a dragonfly bench for Liberty Mutual and possibly a frog for the Naperville Convention and Visitors Bureau.
She said the projects take anywhere from 10 to 100 hours to complete.
"I really enjoy it and it's so exciting to go downtown and see every one (of them) on the street," she said. "I feel a sense of loss like something is missing when they're for sale."
Some sponsorship opportunities are still available. In addition to the critters, businesses also can sponsor a wooden garden cart for $150 and then fill it with their merchandise to be auctioned in the fall.
For more information, call (630) 369-2508.