The Art in the Park
[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: Copper
This copper kinetic sculpture of rotating fish, created in Door County, Wisconsin, is a memorial donation in honor of Robert F. and Marion G. Neuwoehner (Carol Bitter’s parents).
If you look very closely, you will see that the inside and the outside rotate in opposite directions.
A gift of Carol Bitter. 2014.
Location: the 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
A gift of Edmund and Laverne Maiers & Family
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.
A gift of the Ken and Edna Mozena Family
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
THE LIZARD
Lizards painted by Burkart Studio (local artists)
The lizard was originally part of a National Mississippi River Museum promotion for the “Lizards on the Loose” exhibit in 2009.
There are multiple lizard friends hiding on this lizard.
The types of lizards painted on it are explained on sheets printed behind the statue itself; the local artists who painted the lizard are named on the back of its base.
Purchased for the Dubuque Arboretum using donated funds.
Location: near Gottschalk berm
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
THE GIANT FROG
Painted by local artist: Terry Mozena
The Giant Frog statue was part of the 2005 “Toadally Frogs” exhibit and promotion at the National Mississippi River Museum in Dubuque.
The Japanese letter on the front of the frog means “flowers.”
An anonymous donor purchased the frog for the Dubuque Arboretum. 2005.
Location: near the Children’s 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
