Bill McGrath, a self-described sculptor and maker, prefers the term “refinement” to “retirement.” At age 75, the Batavia resident finds embracing something completely different from prior years both physically and mentally wonderful. 

“I’m blessed because I’ve arrived at a point where kids are grown and I don’t have some of the worries others have, but creativity and imagination have no limitations,” he said. 

Although McGrath was always a fan of modern, abstract, metal sculpture, he didn’t start making his own until he retired as Batavia’s City Administrator. He found that sculpture offered a shift from working with groups of people to focusing on the physicality of the materials. 

McGrath enjoys the challenges of dealing with geometry, chemistry, and the immutable laws of physics. He’s a risk-taker at heart, which he believes helps with his craft.

“If I make a mistake, there’s usually only myself to blame and then move on. I like to ‘fail better every day,’” he said.

McGrath’s journey began with a welding class at College of DuPage and never stopped. Local sculptor friends like Kai Schulte and the late Bruce White (a nationally known sculptor and retired Northern Illinois University professor) allowed him to play in their studios and encouraged his early efforts. 

White imparted basic but invaluable lessons, such as “break the shape” and “sometimes, Bill, if you don’t like it, you have to just cut it apart.” 

After early trials and errors, McGrath created his first serious piece in 2010, six years before he retired. 

In addition to fine art sculpture, McGrath enjoys creating garden pieces, railings, and even projects like a support for an air foil in a race car. He likes working with basic elements and objects like rock, rope, wood, and steel, but also enjoys aluminum as a lightweight material that won’t rust. Sometimes the materials at hand inspire his next piece — and he rarely makes a model first, preferring to dive directly into the piece itself. 

In the early morning hours, McGrath often ponders shapes. Even when they turn out to be impractical, they evolve into workable designs. Sometimes a particular shape, like a circle, initiates a design that changes as he’s working. Repetition is a motif in his work.

McGrath values useful, well-designed objects. For example, he has made railings and pergola hardware that look like branches and vines, dishes that resemble leaves, and hand-hammered copper bird baths. 

He admires the aesthetic concerns given to industrial machines in the ‘30s and ‘40s and sees Kai Schulte’s unique River Street railing in downtown Batavia as a prime example of combining functionality with beauty. 

A member of the board of directors of Water Street Studios, McGrath is very interested in its Public Art Initiative. This year’s new “City of Good Energy” mural involved the artist and 75 volunteers of all ages. 

“I loved it and it transformed the building and area. I love the energy of group communication through art,” he said. 

McGrath enjoys the social aspect of presenting sculpture and hoping for reactions. 

“Just keep making things you like and don’t listen to anyone, except about getting better at the craft,” McGrath said. 

He encourages people to take a risk and try new activities. 

His website billmcgrathsculpture.com features photo galleries and contact information. People are welcome to visit his studio in Batavia, where some pieces are on display. 

Currently, one of his pieces is displayed in front of the Baker Center in St. Charles. Other pieces are also currently featured in Chicago, Oak Park, and Moline. He does commissions and was pleased to create a piece for the entry at the new Wazio Orthodontic Center in Batavia.  

This piece was written by Ellen Jo Ljung, a longtime Geneva resident, author, award-winning educator, and arts enthusiast. Visit her website to learn more.

Please feel free to reach out to [email protected] with questions or comments.

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