Public Art
| | Since 1999, the Cedar Falls Public Art Committee (CFPAC) has implemented public art projects across the city to enhance and compliment the vibrant cultural scene of the community. These public artworks have become iconic elements of the city’s landscape. We've been able to complete the following projects with the help of donations from community members who support art as well as funded in part with Hotel Motel Tax. Tax deductible donations are always welcomed via the Cedar Falls Community Foundation. |
allure2005, Robert Craig3rd & Main Streets "This major sculpture was inspired by Cedar Falls' architecture and landscape, the Cedar River, and the sense of renewal and energy present along Main Street. As the title suggests, I designed a sculpture that would entice by fascination and appeal." | |
Drop Leaf Chicken2004, Scott WallaceCedar Falls Public Library "Drop Leaf Chicken' is intended to reflect American domestic culture. The sculpture, which exploits scale relationships, is presented as an amalgam of embellished forms inspired by the shapes, ornamental qualities, and symbolic wealth of decorative objects. Specifically: a decorative chicken, a drop leaf table, a lace doily, and the shapes often found within wallpaper patterns." | |
Course2002, Tom StancliffeCedar Falls City Hall "The imagery for this relief deals with the geologic landscape and the history of Cedar Falls. The geologic landscape emphasizes the Cedar River and was created on the steel through the use of etching and burnishing." | |
Nestled2001, Gillian ChristyHearst Sculpture Garden "It is in 'Nestled' that I explore home and nature. The branch symbolizes nature, and the spine upholding everyday life and the many choices and decisions one can make. Home embodies familiarity, all held together with the safe supports of family, friends, and community." | |
North Is Up2004, Dennis SwansonHearst Sculpture Garden Gift given in memory of Isabella & Raymund Swanson. "North Is Up' carries the instructions for its placement. Two limestone architectural fragments bend the directions as they wrap our globe, then reach longingly for the pole star and another world." | |
Standing Stone2004, Marie Camille Truscott LentschCedar Falls Utilities "Free standing and sovereign strength celebrate the journey in the life of this glacial erratic granite stone. 'Standing Stone's' strength is both imposing and serene, a tribute to all journeys ancient and new. Whether seen as a burden or full of the gravity of grace, here rides 'Standing Stone.'" | |
Horse and Rider2002, Jim BenedictCedar Falls Visitor Center "Horse and Rider' is my interpretation of the classic equestrian form. This piece is my first attempt at creating a three dimensional sculpture with steel and serves as a transition from my more two dimensional works." |
Whisk2000, Marc MoultonHearst Center for the Arts "Whisk' is a dynamic cyclone touching down at the Hearst Center. With a form similar to swirling winds and lightning bolts, 'Whisk' imparts action and movement to the front entrance at the Hearst Center." | |
Eclipse #5[top]Hurricane[bottom]2002, Rob Lorenson 2002, Rob Lorenson Hearst Sculpture Garden Hearst Sculpture Garden "In each of these pieces the elements of my work exist in suspended animation. They are situated as though to freeze a moment in time in which they exist effortlessly in space. The work is constructed of sturdy permanent materials that allow this to happen but yet is in contradiction to the impermanent sense of the composition. The forms have boldness and exactness that have become hallmarks of my work. The circular forms are inspired by cycles within our existence, with the evidence of the inconsistencies of life." | |
Temporal Dialogue2002, Bounnak ThammavongHearst Sculpture Garden "Marking a Moment' is a form based on the sundial. The base is a disc with an inverted cone on top. 'Perpetual Impact' is a geometric disc form with an organic squiggle set on top to break its symmetry and imply a direction." | |
It's All Relative2003, Jerry Cowger2nd & Main Streets "Life is a moving, growing, and ever-changing pursuit and art reflects that truth perfectly. 'It's All Relative' is a brief but telling pause that provides a look into, not only the moment a design is conceived in the artist's heart, but the path of perseverance he chose which brought it into being." | |
Gateway to the Trails2000, Bruce WhitePeter Melendy Park "For a period of years I have been engaged in creating both interior and exterior artwork for architectural and public spaces...I am always excited about opportunities to create large-scale works in unique settings." | |
Ebb Tide2000, Tom Stancliffe4th & Main Streets "Ebb Tide' is a response to observations of flora and fauna clinging tenaciously to every available surface in the warm ocean waters a myriad of life that appears alternately fluid and lush or abrasive and arid as the tides rise and fall at the whim of the moon." | |
Epic2003, Marc MoultonOlsens' Park "Epic is a soaring symbol of action and force, the physical representation of Spirit, Place, and Community. As a metaphor of an endless river rushing against a timeless earth, it embodies the goals and values of our community." | |
Showtime2012, Thelma WereshFirst & Main Streets Donated to the City of Cedar Falls by the family of Shirley and Gene Blair, this life-size sculpture in front of the Oster Regent Theatre depicts Gene's parents, Merle and Winifred Blair, who bought the theater in 1921 and operated it as a movie theater. |
Sinuate 2016, Tim Jorgensen Fourth & Main Streets Purchased by the Cedar Falls Public Art Committee, this life- size sculpture is stainless steel and painted mild steel. "Sinuate is a leaf form and a style of leaf. It means to curve in and out or bend in and out. The leaf forms and I-beams represent a balance between nature and industry." |
JT-3 Rotation 2002, Matthew Moore Hearst Sculpture Garden Gift of the Gardens to Main Street |
Fence Roadway 2020, Gillian Christy Cedar Falls City Hall This stainless steel and enamel sculpture is dedicated to the memory of Mayor Jon Crews in celebration of his community spirit. Purchased for Cedar Falls through private donations and support from Public Art Committee, Art and Culture Board, Cedar Falls Rotary, and the Crews Family. Fence Roadway incorporates a sculptural fence and roadway as it stretches, winds and weaves towards the sky. In this sculpture I am playing with the expected form and function of a road and fence. It is meant to appear as a fantastical pathway while also expressing a sense of community connectedness. Working with familiar imagery like a winding road in the distance, is meant to capture the many perceptions of achieving the American dream. It is fitting to imagine this sculpture honoring the work and efforts towards community building that Mayor Jon Crews achieved. Roads, sidewalks and fences are present in our daily life as one works towards achieving their dreams. These “connectors” are familiar imagery which depict the story of an admirable person devoted to public service. While we are all on our own path reaching, climbing and striving towards our personal goals it is important to identify that we are part of a bigger world. Hopefully, in a small way this sculpture can honor that bigger world that Mayor Jon Crews' vision was striving to reach in his effort to provide an improved quality of life for Cedar Falls residents. |
2016, Lyman Whitaker Cedar Falls Utilities Purchased by Cedar Falls Utilities & the Cedar Falls Public Art Committee. This copper and steel sculpture, along with the artists other sculptures, have an organic and mystical theme, in keeping with his life philosophy. By placing the sculptures in settings dependent on natural elements for movement, opportunities are provided for participants to think about their surroundings. |
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| Dream House 2022, Sujin Lim The Plaza, 2nd and State Street Funding for this project was made possible by major contributions from the family and friends of Kristine Martinson and the Cedar Falls Public Art Committee. This sculpture was fabricated from sheets of aluminum by the University of Northern Iowa Public Art Incubator. Dream House is a warm and welcoming work of art that is also a landmark and multi-use open space. River Place Plaza, located in downtown Cedar Falls, is a meeting point where the two contrasting elements of nature and built environments come together. The Plaza’s left side is urban downtown; on the right side is a river and green space. It’s a place where community members meet and enjoy spending time together. A white house and cloud-shaped sculpture that is eleven feet high invites people upstairs leading to the plaza from downtown Cedar Falls. Once there, they will be pleasantly surprised to find a small bench at the back. The grass lawn symbolizes the small front yard of a house that invites people to sit and relax. The inspiration of the place reflects the warmth and exuberance that characterized Kristine Martinson’s life. I’m excited that the people of Cedar Falls can sit on the bench and enjoy looking out over the river and landscape at this site. I hope the project will be a fresh and unique artistic aspect of the visual fabric of Cedar Falls. |
| If You Build It 2022, Amelia Gotera Aluminum and enamel 3rd and Main Street Funding for this project was made possible by the Cedar Falls Public Art Committee. Constructed with UNI Public Art Incubator students, Rachel Heine, Bob Lockhart, Jenna Jansen, and Taylor Sullivan. "The sculpture was inspired by nostalgia, imagination, storytelling, growth, and the joy of play. Hiring my strong and talented friends, many of whom were women, was a dream. The process was a true challenge and I am so excited to get back to work and explore the possibilities!" |
| Waxwings on the Cedar River 2022, Caylin JaydeDigital drawingThe Metal Dock Rabbit Constellation 2022, Autumn Rozario Hall Acrylic and white ink on paper |