COVID-19 Activities: Public Art League Sculpture Scavenger Hunt
In the greater Champaign County area, local businesses aren't just businesses. Our neighbors, family, and friends are all working to keep things as normal as possible amidst the COVID-19 precautions as outlined by the Governor of Illinois and the Champaign-Urbana Public Health Department. These challenging times serve as a reminder to residents in the greater Champaign County area just how wonderful our local businesses, restaurants, and community truly is. If there's ever a time to embrace #OutsideofOrdinary, it's now.
public art league sculpture scavenger hunt
With proper social distancing measures in mind, outdoor activities like walks around our Outside of Ordinary community are still permissable! Staying active can offer several physical, emotional, and mental benefits. Why not combine some outside exploration with visits to several Public Art League sculptures!
The Public Art League is an organization whose mission is to promote creativity and improve the community's aesthetic by cultivating awareness and appreciation for public art. With COVID-19 affecting everyone in our community in one way or another, the small things matter right now. Even a quick walk over to one of these local sculptures can give you time to breathe, relax, and enjoy an aspect of our community while we look forward to the return of events, busy sidewalks, and the full-fledged greater Champaign County area we know and love.
Without further ado, here is your challenge! Below are six sculptures you can visit; please keep in mind social distancing measures and give other visitors and people in public six feet of space.
Artist: Craig Snyder (Plymouth, MN) • Sculpture: Tip-See • Location: Corner of University Ave. & Market St., Champaign
Sponsor: Pour Bros. Taproom
Artist: Ben Pierce • Sculpture: Sprout • Location: Hessel Park, Champaign
Sponsor: Barham Benefit Group
Artist: Gregory Stallmeyer • Sculpture: Beneath the Surface • Location: Downtown Monticello, IL
Sponsor: Christie Clinic and Public Art Supporters
Artist: Craig Gray (Key West, FL) • Sculpture: Ice Pops • Location: The corner of Race & Griggs Streets, Urbana
Sponsor: MCDJ, LLC
Artist: Kirk Seese • Sculpture: The Feather • Location: Within the roundabout at Main & Chestnut Streets, Downtown Champaign
Sponsor: The Station
Artist: Steven Maeck • Sculpture: The Sun King • Location: Kickapoo Rail Trail, Urbana
Sponsor: Forest Preserve Friends Foundation
Whether you make it to one sculpture or many, we want to see!
If you head out to take on this sculpture scavenger hunt, don't feel like you have to do all six! Even a visit to one can give you the mental break and physical activity you need right now. While you're there, take a photo and tag us @visitchampaign on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram!
You can find the Public Art League on Facebook.
HOW TO SUPPORT LOCAL BUSINESS DURING THE CORONAVIRUS
As we see a reduction in business to our area, we continue to encourage the support of our local businesses and the hospitality industry. As of Sunday, March 15, it is state-mandated that bars & restaurants close through April 30. Please note that carry-out and curbside pick-up options are available. We are collecting information on these options and posting them here, but also encourage patrons to follow their favorite spots on social media for updates or call for more information.
We will continue to post updates on our Business Updates and Cancellations page as we receive them, but encourage everyone to take guidelines from the Illinois Department of Public Health and the CDC seriously.