The nine-foot tall statue of Galesburg native Carl Sandburg is not yet installed at its final site in Galesburg. But it can still be seen by the public.
The statue stands in the former Nissan car dealership building owned by Ameren, peering through the window at the corner of Broad and Ferris.
Breslin's floor covering will soon move into the building, and the public will be able to see the Sandburg statue up close and personal once Breslin’s opens for business there.
The Sandburg sculpture was the brainchild of Lonnie Stewart and Peter Gorham, who want to see more public art in Galesburg. They then came up with the idea of honoring the Pulitzer Prize winning writer.
“I love Carl Sandburg,” said Stewart, who created the sculpture. “I grew up here. My grandparents lived across the street from him for a while and that was exciting for me.”
The statue was unveiled as part of of the 19th annual Sandburg Days Festival for the Mind. It depicts a well-seasoned and accomplished Sandburg holding two books, which represent his two Pulitzer Prizes.
The Galesburg Public Art Commission has raised $145,000 in pledges to pay for the sculpture. The plan is to ultimately place it in Central Park, but the commission needs another $100,000 to pay for installation.
The commission is awaiting some engineering drawings and approval from the Sanitary District before the plan is finalized.
In the meantime, the commission will begin the next stage of fundraising on May 17 when it hosts Galesburg Dancing…with our Stars. The event will feature local couples and a chance for everyone to vote for their favorite dancing couple.
