Four public art sculptures have been installed in Hannibal over the past several months. The project is a partnership between the Hannibal Arts Council and Hannibal Parks & Recreation as part of a Sculpture on the Move program.
Each sculpture is leased for a two-year time period for $1000 each year. The first-year leases ($4000 total) have been generously covered…but not the second-year leases. If you would like to see the program continue, consider a donation! You can donate here: Donate – Hannibal Arts Council
Ascendants by Nick Willett of Springfield MO
Hannibal Arts Council
Regarding the recently installed sculpture, Willett states that “related to Ascendants, we are all descendants of our ancestors, but to us, our ancestors are ascendants. The sculpture represents the foundation our past relatives have set for us to build upon. The rusty center of this sculpture symbolizes our ancient relations, worn and weathered, but withstanding the test of time. The new colorful forms whirling around and rising above this core symbolize us, the current generations inhabiting the earth.”
Round Trip by Nick Willett of Springfield MO
Hannibal High School South Entrance
Regarding the sculpture installed at HHS, Willett states that “Round Trip is a representation of Opuntia macrocentra, or Purple Prickly Pear. The concept for the sculpture came to me on my last road trip to Arizona, where the cacti can be found. The paint not only represents the actual color of the cacti, but also the beautiful desert sunset, as the stars begin to shine. In a deeper sense, the sculpture symbolizes the benefits of escaping our personal realities in order to achieve a clearer perspective in this life, as well as a deeper understanding of who we are and what we are here to do.”
Metal Splash by Jessie Cargas of Rosebud MO
Community Pool
“Inspirations come from within and daily experiences. My sculptures represent what is real and what is conceptual. I continue to work on a variety of shapes, sizes, contemporary and abstract pieces. From creating designs, to welding, to the finishes on the sculptures, are the things that keep me most inspired, motivated and driven.”
Liberté by Chris Wubbena of Cape Giradeau MO
Hannibal Riverfront
Liberté features a brushed stainless-steel structure topped by a graffiti and stenciled metal monolith with imagery representing the environment, French-inspired imagery and imagery related to family and the artist’s own personal experiences. The true meaning of Liberté is meant to be interpreted by the viewer. Wubbena adds, “Liberté was completed in this style to reflect the immediate need to express thoughts right here, right now. Inspired by classical figurative sculpture along with geologic and Neolithic rock formations, Liberté takes a closer look at the individual, the person, and the weight they assume.
The Hannibal Arts Council joined The Creative Communities Alliance in order to be among 20 total communities eligible to participate in the rotating sculpture loan program and choose among more than 150 sculptures. The works are original pieces by regional and national artists.
