By Mary Bergin
Lions and sturgeon and bears – oh my! If you liked the Chicago cows, you’ll love the ever-industrious nature of Racine’s street art.
A herd of bodacious bovine 10 years ago moo-ved us to create our own fiberglass menagerie. Chicago’s 300-plus cows – each stark form uniquely embellished by local artists – were a quick hit in the Windy City, taking over downtown sidewalks, parks and lobbies. Then the show took to the road, and a traveling version of “Cows on Parade” made it to Madison in 2006.
Since 2002, the Downtown Racine Corporation has flaunted its own colorful and whimsical works of street art, giving local artists a public outlet for self-expression. The city introduces a new sculpture theme each year, and the works of art are auctioned after a summer of public display. It’s all for the greater good – proceeds benefit the nonprofit group’s downtown development projects.
Hundreds of stunningly beautiful to outrageously outlandish dogs, cats, bears, fish, otters, birds, birdbaths, lighthouses and spheres have graced Racine storefronts and street corners. Elementary school classes participate in the decorating, as well as trained artists.
Top revenue producer in 2008: “Princess,” by Lynn Spleas and Jeff Dolezal, turned a plain orb of fiberglass into Cinderella’s carriage. The piece of street art fetched $2,150.
“All of these public art subjects have helped in the renaissance of downtown Racine,” says the project sponsor.
This summer, the “Sunny & Chair” project took to the streets. Four types of funky and functional Adirondack chairs appear around town, project materials move from fiberglass to wood. Cedar World Furniture Corporation of Racine built the red cedar seats that range from rockers to loveseats.
Of the 54 decorated chairs, one is 7.5 feet tall and 5 feet wide. Look for “Sun the One You’re With,” by artists Doug and Diane Soller, on Monument Square. The chair name acknowledges the 2009 psychedelic “Wingstock” chair preview party theme, which in turn, meshes with the hippy-like Sonny-and-Cher era. This year’s first place winner, “Peacock Chair,” by Sherri Shaver, is technically a bench, with the image of a peacock on the back, in multi-colored stained glass mosaic.
For more information, visit racinedowntown.com, 262.634.6002. Chairs will be auctioned Sept. 12 at The Chair Today; Gone Tomorrow event at Monument Square downtown.