Normal, Ill. – Aug. 10, 2026 – The Town of Normal invites the community to enjoy recently installed artwork at its Sculpture Park with a grand opening at 5:30 p.m., Monday, Aug. 17. The Sculpture Park is located at 1110 Douglas St., Normal, near the Community Activity Center at One Normal Plaza.
“The opening of the Town of Normal Sculpture Park marks an exciting new chapter for our community,” says Town of Normal Mayor Chris Koos. “This project expands offerings of public art and strengthens a sense of place throughout Normal.”
Developed through the vision of the Town’s community-driven Public Art Master Plan, the Sculpture Park includes the following pieces:
“American Kestrel” by Shawn A. Hensley, Champaign, Ill. – an 8.5-foot-tall colored concrete sculpture of an American kestrel perched upon a tree-like base
“Happy, Happy, Happy” by Jeremy Burdette, Bartonville, Ill. – 6-foot-tall carbon steel sculpture on a 3-foot base, the gleeful piece mimics an enthusiastic person with raised arms
“In and Out of the Blue” by Dann Nardi, Normal, Ill. – a large circular concrete sculpture, 12 feet in diameter, which includes an opening and a series of globes
“Whorled” by Nicole Beck, Chicago – an 8-foot-tall stainless steel sculpture with custom-laminated outdoor-grade colored, dichroic glass; the glass showcases different colors when viewed from different directions
These pieces join the memorial sculpture, “Circle of Friendship,” which stands in front of the Community Activity Center and honors the people and stories associated with the historic Illinois Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Children’s School (ISSCS) that once operated on the property.
More sculpture is planned for the space as budgets allow.
The grand opening will include a ribbon-cutting and remarks from Mayor Koos and others.
About the Public Art Working Group
The Town’s Public Art Working Group first convened in August 2023 to inform and expand the Town’s public art activities. Appointed by Mayor Koos, the diverse committee comprises working artists, educators, arts patrons, students, arts administration professionals and staff from the Town’s Cultural Arts, Parks & Recreation and Planning departments. To learn more about the Town’s vision for public art, visit Public Art on the Normal Forum (normalil.gov/PublicArt).
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