How groceries can fund sculpture exhibit
The Downtown St. Charles Partnership and St. Charles Park District jointly announced their "Shop to Your 'Arts Content" promotion to raise funds to benefit the fourth annual Sculpture in the Park exhibit. This free, six-month-long exhibit draws more than 8,000 people to Mount St. Mary Park to view creative sculptures in a variety of media.
"In just three years, this exhibit has built a reputation of showcasing beautiful works by sculptors from throughout northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin," said David Richards, executive director of the Downtown St. Charles Partnership. "This year, park visitors will be enthralled by the quality and very size of the works, some of which are 12 to 15 high."
To produce such a show, which requires artists to transport large works of art over some distance, also requires funding. Richards explains that past exhibits have been generously supported by corporations, foundations and individuals.
"We again are soliciting sponsors and funds, and have introduced an easy way that residents can get involved without spending any more money than they normally would. We're promoting it as 'Shop to Your 'Arts Content,' and it's made possible through Jewel-Osco's 'Shop and Share' fundraising program," he said. "It's really very simple. We have scheduled three separate three-day periods - April 6-8; April 27-29; and May 18-20 - during which we are encouraging everyone to shop at Jewel-Osco stores as they normally would.
Jewel-Osco have provided the Downtown Partnership and the park district with "Shop and Share" coupons; when you shop Jewel on these specific days, you simply turn in your coupon when you pay for your purchases. Jewel-Osco then contribute 5 percent of the total sales for those days to the Downtown St. Charles Partnership for funding support of this year's Sculpture in the Park exhibit.
As Richards explains, it's an easy way for the community to actively ensure the success of a free exhibit that drew an estimated 8,000 people to Mount St. Mary Park last year.
"People have to eat," he points out, "and they are going to shop. This program doesn't cost anyone anything more than they would normally spend on their groceries. We are simply asking everyone to make sure they do their weekly shopping on the designated days, to turn in their coupons, and help the Partnership and the St. Charles Park District present another outstanding free sculpture exhibition.
"And in today's economy, what better way to lift your spirits than a casual stroll through a beautiful park, enjoying a collection of unique sculptures?"
The shopping coupons necessary for the "Shop to Your 'Art's Content" campaign are available from multiple sources, Richards says. They include on the Web site (www.dtown.org), the Park District's Web site (www.st-charlesparks.org), at numerous stores throughout downtown St. Charles, and at the downtown partnership's or park district's offices.
The Sculpture in the Park exhibit is a joint effort between the Downtown St. Charles Partnership and the St. Charles Park District. Now in just its fourth year, it already has been a top three finalist in the Lt. Governor's annual Awards for Excellence, and has become a favorite destination for residents and visitors alike.
Twelve large sculptures will be installed in Mount St. Mary Park the end of April, and will remain in the park through Columbus Day weekend in October. The Downtown St. Charles Partnership is a nonprofit organization whose mission is "to enhance the economic viability and to preserve the character and beauty of downtown St. Charles." The sculpture exhibit is one of its special programs designed to attract people to the downtown district. For details, visit www.dtown.org.