The Art in the Gardens
Permanent Art on Display on the DABG Grounds
[Click on any art piece to learn more or to view a larger image.]
ANGEL
Artist: Eric Shaw (1965-1996)
Material: Plate Steel, Curved, Welded
Eric Shaw: "Inspiration for my art is primarily derived from nature … In many of my works, I take elements of plant and animal life, human forms or ancient structures and combine them to create unique forms that are a synthesis, like a double exposure. … I strive to celebrate the rich heritage of life and the structural beauty of the parts of our earth.”
A gift of Eric's Parents, Blossom and Jay Shaw, Iowa City, Iowa. 2017.
Location: near the Garden of Eat'n
MIGRATION
Artist: Dave Riemer
Material: Polished copper
This mesmerizing kinetic sculpture uses the slightest breeze to move its graceful sweeping arms, changing with the light as they cast complex geometric shadows. Watching their motion has been described to be ‘as relaxing as watching a lazy river.’ If you look very closely, you will see that the inside and the outside rotate in opposite directions. The sculpture was shaped and assembled by hand, using the highest quality bearings, copper, brass, and stainless steel.
Gift of the Neuwoehner family in honor of their parents Robert and Marion Neuwoehner 2014
Location: Knot Garden
REBECCA
Woman (aka Rosalie) with Vase / Fountain.
A gift of Midge Lange's children. In honor of Midge Lange: "our mom — One in a Million."
Location: Rebecca Bed / northeast corner of Visitor Center
THE SEEDLING
Artist: Stephanie Sailor / Lawrence, KS
Material: Stainless Steel
"The Seedling" represents the first phase of life for a plant, once it has trudged through the earth to feed off sunshine rays. The stem is thin and tenuous, originally unable to support the weight of the future foliage. This is the moment marked by unbounded possibilities, quite similar to ourselves as we start new stages in life.
A gift of Bob & Donna Wahlert. 2007.
Location: near McKay Plaza / Berm S. 17
GERMINATION
Artist: Glenn Williams
2008 / Displayed with Art on the River
Germination means to sprout or grow. It is the process of coming into existence. the piece is intended to serve as a metaphor for this growth as it relates to the human condition. Those plants that have to struggle for life in the beginning tend to become more resilient as a result of that struggle. In essence, what doesn’t destroy us, makes us stronger.
A gift of the Tri-State Garden Club in conjunction with an arts grant from the City of Dubuque. [This sculpture honors the efforts of the Tri-State Garden Club in establishing and maintaining this rose garden.]
Location: Rose Garden
EAGLE
The Eagle's Secret: "All eagles were born to soar. It is why we were created. Our power, however, comes not from what we can see, it is in the unseen. It is the wind, not our wings, that lifts us to the high places. It is our vision, not our eyes, that makes us rulers of the skies. But it is our spirit, not our speed, that leads us to be strong and free."
-David McNally
In memory of Edmund and LaVern Maiers and Family. Gene, Wayne, David, and Bonnie
Location: Moberly Plaza
UNION PARK SCULPTURE
In the early 1900s, Union Park, a north-end Dubuque park regularly drew hundreds of visitors. Located on the other side of our deer fence, it was "the place" for entertainment until July 9, 1919. That day a sudden rainstorm caused a flash flood that tore through the valley, damaging the park’s structures and killing five people.
This sculpture (two children with umbrella) survived the tragedy.
Location: near the Visitor Center
DOUBLE SPINNER
Artist: Lyman Whitaker
A gift of the Asmussen Family. In memory of
Dr. F. G. and Ellen Asmussen. June 2019.
Location: Entry Bed
BEAUTIFUL CONE
A gift of Helen Kilburg. 2022.
Location: Conifer Collections
BOY & GIRL
Material: Marble or stone
A gift Jim and Karen Schwarz
Location: Shade Garden
PARKING LOT LIGHTS
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, downtown Dubuque had gas-operated lighting. The lamplighter walked from light to light in the early evening and then extinguished the lights the next morning.
In 1916, the gas lights were changed to electric. With urban renewal, the city took the lamps out and offered them to nonprofit organizations. The Dubuque Arboretum and Botanical Gardens acquired three of these lights. Jackson Tuckpointing sandblasted them, and Paulson Electric rewired them. [If you look closely, you can see the fine machining on them.]
They are genuine antiques, and yet they keep our parking lot illuminated.
Location: near the Visitor Center
ARBORETUM-BRANDED WEATHERVANE
Artist: Rob Trilk | 19th BLVD Metalsmithing
Material: Powder-coated 18-gauge steel
When Rob Trilk was asked to come up with a design that included the DABG’s logo in a weathervane, he rose to the challenge.
He machined on a metal lathe the pivot point housing and a sealed ball bearing was pressed into it so the weathervane would turn with the wind, allowing it to operate friction-free.
Rob Trilk: “(My wife) Carissa and I now feel a warm connection to the Arboretum because of it.”
A gift of Rob Trilk, in memory of his wife’s mother, Diane Stamp. 2017.
Location: atop the Visitor Center
Ragatz Drug Store Fountain
Created: circa 1890s
Material: cast iron
The cast iron fountain was originally a feature in the Ragatz Drug Store at 1996 Central Avenue in Dubuque (where a KFC is presently located) from 1899 to the mid-1960s when the store closed. Swimming in the fountain were goldfish that customers were able to purchase.
Several years after closing, the area was cleared for an urban renewal project. When the building that had housed the drug store was torn down, Louise Strub, a great-niece of George Ragatz, wanted the fountain for her back yard where, for many decades, the Strub family used it as a large planter. [The fountain-planter stands about 4 feet high.]
A gift of the Strub Family.
Location: Corner of the Prairie Garden, on the way down to the Japanese Garden.
SILVER HERON
Artist: Gail Chavanelle
A gift from the Curnan Family in memory of Robert Curnan. 2018.
Location: atop a rock in the Japanese Garden Koi Pond
DOUBLE DANCER
Artist: Lyman Whitaker
A gift of the Asmussen Family, in memory of Dr. Frederick Asmussen. June 2021.
Location: Entry Bed
EARTH KITES
Artist: Eric Shaw (1965-1996)
Material: Plate Steel, Curved / 1990
Eric Shaw: “Inspiration for my art is primarily derived from nature … In many of my works, I take elements of plant and animal life, human forms or ancient structures and combine them to create unique forms that are a synthesis, like a double exposure. … I strive to celebrate the rich heritage of life and the structural beauty of the parts of our earth.”
A gift of Jay Shaw (Iowa City, IA), in memory of Blossom Shaw. July 2019.
Location: Peony Bed (currently) / set of 5 / can be moved to different locations
COPPER TREE
Material: Copper
In Memoriam. View names on individual leaves.
Location: upper Japanese Garden grounds
ATOMIC GARDEN KALEIDOSCOPE
Artist: Robert C. Anderson
A gift of the Jeff & Janet Mozena family. April 2022.
Location: Jack Frick Plaza
FOUR SEASONS
Four stone statues
A gift of Paul Hemmer in memory of his parents. Owned by the Herb Society of Dubuque.
Location: Herb Garden
