Gail Niermeyer is more than happy to fly artist Angela Graefenhain in from Colorado each year to do some painting.
Neirmeyer and daughter Jesse McHugh, both of Coldwell Banker Realty in Naperville, are among the many who sponsor artwork to be part of the annual Downtown Naperville Painted Summer Sculptures series, which each year features a different theme.
Several years ago, Niermeyer and McHugh hired Graefenhain to paint a sculpture they sponsored. They were so pleased by the result, they’ve hired Graefenhain annually since.
This is one of 18 bugs — honeybees, snails, caterpillars and ladybugs — that you’ll find on the streets of downtown Naperville from June through September as part of the annual Painted Summer Sculptures series. (Downtown Naperville)
“It’s not someone slapping paint on. This is a bona fide artist flying in and doing the best job she can do,” Niermeyer said Friday.
Eighteen sculptures can be found downtown starting this weekend.
They are located in the area bordered by Van Buren Avenue on the north, Water Street on the south, Washington Street on the east and Webster Street on the west.
With the symphony of cicadas providing a roaring soundtrack for our summer, it’s fitting that this year’s theme is bugs.
Although the less-than-fetching cicadas didn’t make the cut, there are honeybees, ladybugs, caterpillars and snails on the streets of downtown. Sponsors paid $2,000 if they chose one of the first three and $1,500 for a snail.
“They decided to do a fun garden creature this year,” Niermeyer said. “So, I picked a snail. I thought it would be fun. Gail. Snail.
This map put together by Downtown Naperville helps visitors find all of the “bugs” that make up this year’s Painted Summer Sculptures series. (Downtown Naperville)
“Part of my thing is like to see kids take selfies of themselves with the sculpture. Then, I put them on my Facebook page and have a contest for them. The winners will get a Gail’s Snail Pail, a bucket of candy or something,” she said. “I get a win and they get a win.”
Among the other winners are all community members who can admire the 18 sculptures during a stroll along downtown streets.
Niermeyer has been a sponsor since the series began.
“I’ve had a bear, carousel horse, a truck. Whatever (theme they’ve chosen), I’ve had. I really enjoy it,” Niermeyer said.
Her snail will be at Main and Jackson near Sullivan’s Steakhouse, she said.
Downtown will be infested with the bug sculptures until September. That’s longer than the cicadas but much more easy on our eardrums.
Downtown Naperville is partnering with the Gerald Auto Group and city of Naperville to present the art project.
Close-up view of one of the painted faces of the bug sculptures lining the streets of downtown Naperville as part of the annual summer art event. Artists are employed to hand-decorate the molds in whatever style they choose, which is part of the fun for viewers on the hunt for them. (Downtown Naperville)
You can make your search easier with a map of the bug sculptures found at www.downtownnaperville.com. The map lists these sculpture sponsors:
Bill & Nancy Mitchell
Busey Bank
Caton Commercial Real Estate Group
Coldwell Banker Realty-Gail Niermeyer & Jesse McHugh
DJK Custom Homes
DuPage Swim Center
Expert Level Home Services
Innovative Dental Partners
Kelly Law Firm
Little Luxuries
Magnitech
Naper Nuts & Sweets
Naperville Yard
Pinot’s Palette
Potter’s Place
Treasures
Turning Pointe Autism Foundation
Two Maids of Naperville
In past years, bears, dogs, book benches, trains, cars, trucks, hearts and golf ball chairs have been featured in the annual art project.
Steve Metsch is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.
