'Green Eggs and Ham' on library menu

"Green Eggs and Ham" will be the main course next week as Century Walk Corp. serves up its latest public art piece in Naperville.

The Dr. Seuss-inspired sculpture will be dedicated at 3 p.m. Friday, March 6, at the 95th Street Library, 3015 Cedar Glade Drive.

The eight-foot-tall sculpture of Dr. Seuss' Sam-I-Am character with a platter of the infamous breakfast food will be the 32nd piece of art for Century Walk, but the first to be placed outside the downtown area.

The first 30 pieces each had ties to Naperville's history while the next bunch will branch out a bit more both in theme and location.

In fact, the most recent was another Seuss sculpture, "Cat in the Hat," at the downtown Nichols Library. Century Walk President Brand Bobosky said the group hopes to eventually put a Grinch sculpture at the Naper Boulevard Library as well.

"We are just delighted," said Susan Greenwood, community relations coordinator for the Naperville Public Library. "They are really wonderful sculptures celebrating reading."

The "Green Eggs and Ham" piece cost Century Walk about $127,500, including the creation of the statue, shipping and installation. About $15,000 of that was donated by Chase Group which has rights to Seuss' art and the rest is from Naperville's Special Events and Cultural Amenities grants. The grant money comes from a 1 percent tax on food and beverages.

Bobosky said while the amount of funding available may fluctuate, he believes the tax is an appropriate source of funding as it is elective - people choose to go out to eat and drink in Naperville - and a significant portion comes from non-residents.

"I think it's an appropriate tax that will remain and generate funds and the funds it generates go into things like this that makes Naperville a place to come and visit and a place residents here should be proud of," Bobosky said. "We have something in this town between Century Walk, Riverwalk, and (Naper) Settlement and the carillon that is unlike any other place."

Century Walk is requesting about $455,000 in the upcoming grant allocation but Bobosky said city staff is only recommending about $225,000. Ultimately it will be up to the city council to determine how much funding the art projects get.

The next sculpture to be installed after "Green Eggs and Ham" will be of Harold and Margaret Moser at Rotary Hill along the Riverwalk. Harold was a prominent developer and philanthropist who earned the nickname "Mr. Naperville." The sculpture likely will be dedicated in early May.

Other ideas for future sculptures include city founder Joseph Naper and comic book character Dick Tracy. The longtime artist of the comic, Dick Locher, is a Naperville resident.