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Mockups of the mural panels. 📸 Credit: Batavia COTW presentation
A public art project tied to America's 250th anniversary will soon put Batavia's lesser-known contributions to national history on display on the west-facing exterior wall of City Hall.
The Committee of the Whole recommended approval for the project, which goes to full council next.
Here's what to know:
Driving the project: Water Street Studios’ Public Art Initiative secured a $15,000 Illinois Arts Council grant, which is one of roughly 22 awarded statewide, to fully fund the project. The selected artist is Marty Gniech, a Batavia High School graduate and professional muralist whose work includes the large-scale great blue heron painting in the Art of the Fox mural series.
The mural itself: It will feature six panels, each representing a piece of Batavia history with national significance. The subjects include Fermilab, the wagon manufacturing industry of the 1840s-50s, quarry stone from local quarries used to rebuild Chicago after the 1871 fire, Scandinavian immigration to Batavia, the Campana building, and an interesting connection to the Apollo 11 moon landing.
How it will be installed: The panels will be mounted inside the wall's window bays and framed, so they can be removed if needed. Installation is scheduled for August 17-21, with a community reveal celebration planned for August 29.
Mayor Schielke said several communities have expressed interest in learning more about recent public art initiatives involving Batavia’s downtown buildings.
Watch the full committee meeting recording.
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