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Rockford's Open-Air Art Scene: Murals and Sculptures to Find Around the City
Save the museums and galleries for a chilly winter day. There's a whole world of open-air art to view just minutes from Rockford homes for sale. Tour these impressive murals and sculptures that our real estate agents admire.
Guide to Open-Air Murals and Sculptures Around Rockford, IL
Symbol Sculpture - Rockford, IL
Address: North Second and Auburn Streets, Rockford, IL 61107
Rockford's strong tradition of metal-bending factories receives a well-deserved tribute with the striking Symbol Sculpture. The 30-ton, bright red sculpture stands sentinel alongside the Rock River after six years at the downtown pedestrian mall.
Other works by sculptor Alexander Liberman, a Ukraine-born magazine publisher and editor turned artist, include:
- Gate of Hope, University of Hawaii at Manoa
- Two Circles, Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC
- Olympic Iliad, Seattle, WA
Magical Thinking - Rockford, IL
Address: Rockford City Market Pavilion, 150 E. State St., Rockford, IL 61104
Magical Thinking springs from the whimsical imagination of Gail Simpson and Aristotle Georgiades, a sculpting team operating as Actual Size Artworks. Both artists have a formal education as well as extensive experience teaching and creating, together and individually.
Per Simpson and Georgiades, art can:
- Highlight and interpret a community
- Clarify visually dense spaces
- Channel imagination and possibilities
We Are Rockford Mural - Rockford, IL
Address: Jumping Joe's, 603 W. State St., Rockford, IL 61102
Simple yet powerful, the motto emblazoned on the We Are Rockford Mural expresses community pride and cohesiveness. Chicago-based artist Ryan "StukOne" Lape used a "squiggle grid" technique in which a mural's base is covered with random lines. A digital design is then mapped over a photo of the wall, and the intersecting lines serve as reference points.
Hometown heroes depicted on the mural are:
- Sara Dorner, first female president of Rockford United Labor
- Oscar-winning director Bing Liu
- Golden Glove champion Angel Martinez
- NBA superstar Fred VanVleet
- Michelle Williams, mental health advocate and former member of Destiny's Child
RKFD Hands Mural - Rockford, IL
Address: Social, 509 E. State St., Rockford, IL 61104
It may not be a thousand words, but the RKFD Hands Mural uses a picture to "say" an important one. The colorful graphic illustrates four hands spelling out "RKFD" in American Sign Language to demonstrate the community's commitment to inclusion.
Fatherless is a Rockford-based group that chose the name to highlight the concept that no individual member serves as the driving force and their works are purely collaborative.
Rockford Peaches Mural - Rockford, IL
Address: 206 7th St., Rockford, IL 61104
Appropriately, a female pair of artists going by the quirky name of No Rinkydink created the Rockford Peaches Mural. The beloved women's professional baseball team of the '40s and '50s gained even more fame nationwide as the subject of the iconic movie, A League of Their Own.
Players featured in the mural include:
- Dorothy "Kammie" KamenshekÂ
- Mildred "Millie" Deegan
- Amy "Lefty" Applegren
- Dorothy "Dottie" Green
- Dorothy Ferguson Key
- Dorothy "Snookie" Harrell
Women's Suffrage Centennial Sculpture - Rockford, IL
Address: Rockford Women's Suffrage Plaza, 200 Y Blvd., Rockford, IL 61107
100 years after the landmark Constitutional amendment granting women the right to vote, Rockford commemorated the event with the installation of the Women's Suffrage Centennial Sculpture. Noted mosaic artist Susan Burton led a team of more than 200 community members who participated in bringing the sculpture to reality.
One such member was Holly Gilbey, a Rockford artist who created the framed mosaic faces gracing the three-sided sculpture:
- Rockford suffragette Kate F. O'Connor
- Rockford voting rights activist Dr. Constance Goode
- Future voters
Where Can You Find Public Art Around Rockford?
Where can you see outdoor art in Rockford?
Public art can be found throughout Rockford, including downtown, along the Rock River, and at community gathering spaces. Notable works include the Symbol sculpture, We Are Rockford mural, RKFD Hands mural, and Women's Suffrage Centennial sculpture.
Is Rockford's public art free to visit?
Yes. The murals and sculptures featured here are displayed in public or publicly accessible outdoor spaces, so visitors can view them without paying admission.
Can you see several Rockford murals and sculptures in one day?
Yes. Several installations are located in or near downtown Rockford, making it possible to visit multiple pieces during the same outing. Checking locations and parking options ahead of time can help you plan your route.
Get Inspired by Rockford, IL
The creative spirit of Rockford is literally and figuratively in the air. Contact us for experienced help finding your home in this vibrant community.