LIBRARY'S OUTDOOR ART WILL BE PART OF CENTURY WALK

September 18, 1998 — Source: Naperville Sun, The (IL) — Author: Jane Lelugas

Three works of art on display outside the Nichols Library for more than a decade will be the next additions to Naperville's Century Walk, a tribute to people, places and events that have colored the city's history this century.

Century Walk President Brand Bobosky and administrator Pat Springer asked the Naperville Public Libraries Board on Wednesday for input on the placement of plaques describing the three pieces: a bronze sculpture of two children reading, donated by the Wood family in 1988; a sculpted bronze map depicting Naperville's landmarks, donated by Harold and Margaret Moser in the mid-1980s; and a bas-relief sculpture carved in brick, symbolizing man's search for knowledge through the ages, donated by the Hamer family in 1987.

The plaques will go on walls for two of the artworks, rather than on large stones, to complement the existing markers identifying the donors.

The donor plaque for the children's sculpture sits on a pedestal below, and the new plaque will be placed to create a balance there as well.

Earlier plans to tie the Century Walk dedication with the libraries' centennial celebration this weekend were dropped, according to Bobosky, so as not to detract from the milestone.

"One hundred years is quite a credit," he said, adding that a formal Century Walk dedication is being planned for early November.

Six pieces of art are already part of the outdoor trail that began in 1996, with the creation of two colorful mosaic benches at Riverwalk Plaza, styled after Kroehler Furniture's turn-of-the-century lounges; a mural on the west wall of the former Sun building, highlighting the city's publishing endeavors; and a wall sculpture at Firstar Bank, depicting Naperville's musical history.

Three more were added to the collection in 1997: a wall mural on the Ross building honoring Naperville's farm families; a freestanding abstract sculpture using tools of the trades to represent growth and change, outside the Jefferson Hill Shops; and a wall mural on the Lantern building portraying a city on the move.

The Century Walk goal calls for three new pieces a year through 2006.

Library Board member Chet Rybicki said the band sculpture at the bank draws a lot of attention.

He joked, though, that people have told him the plaza lounges are not too comfortable.
     

Section: NEWS — Page: 6