United Way pulls plug on Naperville public art project

Visitors to downtown Naperville won't be greeted by colorful critters this summer.

After eight years of mermaids, giraffes, dragons, farm animals, fairies and insects, the United Way has decided not to hold its annual public art display and auction, at least for 2009.

"The financial aspect is what drove a lot of the decision," said Christine Lewis, chief professional officer for the United Way of the DuPage Area. "We feel a huge responsibility to the public this year to get every single dollar possible back to the community. We are operating in crisis mode right now."

The Naperville United Way merged with the DuPage chapter last fall in an effort to use their resources more effectively. The merged group serves health and human service agencies in 30 communities.

Lewis said a committee of volunteers analyzed the Naperville public art event and got feedback from some of the artists, sponsors and other community members. It came to the conclusion continuing the project wouldn't be economically feasible this year.

The Naperville United Way raised $80,000 from auctioning the artwork in 2008 but after figuring in overhead costs only about $40,000 to $45,000 was available for the programs they support, according to Lewis.

Despite having help from volunteers, the project takes significant staff time, she said, and there has been a drop in recent years of people purchasing the artwork. Last year a handful of the ladybug houses were without sponsors so the United Way had to pick up the tab for both the pieces and the artist commissions to decorate them.

The United Way looked for other agencies to partner with to continue the project but struck out because other groups also are struggling.

Artist Sue Schofield said she will be disappointed not to have a public art project this year. She has created works every year since the program's inception.

"I loved having it downtown," she said. "It brought a good lot of people down to look at it. It was really quite an attraction and the money that came in was good money."

Lewis said the group isn't ruling out bringing public art displays back in the future but is brainstorming new ways to go about it as well as other fundraising possibilities.

The United Way of the DuPage Area is currently holding a $5 campaign to encourage even small donors to give. Donors can visit uwdupage.org or mail donations to PO Box 5317, Oak Brook, IL 60522.

"We still need community support," Lewis said. "Hopefully (people are) understanding we're trying to make the best decisions possible in a tight year and tight space."