​Are you a Quad Cities native? What brought you to the Quad Cities?
Born and raised here. Grew up in Dixon, Iowa. Lived here my entire life. Graduated from St. Ambrose University. Go Fighting Bees!

What is your biggest achievement/goal/moment of success to date – personal or professional?
Personally, I have been plant based for many years. Trying to do my part to save the world!  Professionally, exposed an entire decade of preschoolers to the world of veganism.

How did you first learn about Quad City Arts? 
I was looking for a new chapter in my work life and found this incredibly cool job with cool people!  So happy to be a part of this team of talented and interesting humans.

What are you most excited for in your role at Quad City Arts? Seeing behind the curtain. Watching this group of dedicated volunteers bring together one of the most exciting and beloved QCA event!  It is amazing to experience all that goes into the festival.  I am in awe!

What is your favorite arts experience in the Quad Cities? Blues Fest.  My husband and I are lifelong members of the Quad City Blues Society. 

What is your favorite arts experience outside of the Quad Cities?
Laumeier Sculpture Park in Kirkwood, Missouri.  It is an incredible space.  We stumbled on it one year and we go back every summer and spend a morning.  My son knows that when the end comes for me, he is to dedicate a bench or a bird feeder in my name, so I can always be a part of this park.

Who is your favorite artist? (This can be any artist – visual, performing, etc.) Michelangelo.  I did a paper on him in college and was intrigued by his story.  I have been lucky enough to see some of his work.  The David is everything you would expect and more.  The Sistine Chapel was awe inspiring. 

What is one thing that might surprise people about you? I ran a half marathon and didn’t pass out.  I did get lapped by the full marathon winner.  Exhilarating and humbling all at the same time.

What are you currently watching on Netflix or TV?
My Next Guest Needs No Introduction with David Letterman.  Love that David Letterman. 

Star Wars or Star Trek? 
Star Wars, though Star Trek is epic.  I had a small crush on Captain Kirk, but Star Wars is my families jam!

Where is the best pizza in the Quad Cities (or where you are from)? 
Lopiez, not only is the pizza superb, but the experience of dining or carrying out from their downtown location is a great and super interesting experience.  I recommend the Mayor.  Best darn pizza in town.

What is your favorite book? Alas Babylon by Pat Frank.  I tend to be a little on the fatalistic side, so this book dovetailed well into my slightly off psyche.

Where is your go-to place for inspiration? Treadmill.  There is nothing like clearing the cobwebs with an hour of sweating. 

What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? I would love to run a farm sanctuary.  But to be honest, the only way this would work is if I would win the lottery.  I have been told by the lovely couple who run the Iowa Farm Sanctuary in Marengo, Iowa, that the charitable farm life is not for everyone.  Money absolutely makes a difference.  It can not run on love and good will.
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If you could have a drink with any artist living or dead, who would it be?
Orson Wells.  Every college kid that watched Citizen Kane in their film class can agree…Orson Wells is the man!
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​Next time you seem Kim around, stop by and give her a warm welcome!

​🎄We're so glad she's on team Festival!🎄

​Quad City Arts has facilitated the leasing and installation of public sculptures in the Quad Cities since 2002. The City of Rock Island has participated in the program, yearly, since 2007 and Bettendorf, since 2008. Seven sculptures have become part of Rock Island’s permanent collection, while Bettendorf has added six. Davenport purchased nine sculptures in the early years of the program. Sculptures are chosen by appointed committees and leased for one year. All the sculptures are for sale and can be purchased by individuals, businesses, or a city for permanent installation after June of the following year. All sculptures currently on exhibit, along with permanent sculptures will be able to be viewed on Quad City Arts’ website www.quadcityarts.com/public-sculpture as well as the websites of the sponsors. All participating sculptors live in the midwest region.
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​The most exciting part of the process is watching a Hampton Crane operator use their boom to lift a sculpture from an artist’s vehicle, hoist it high in the air, and skillfully bring it down gently onto a concrete pad, as directed by the artist who created it. The artist will then drill holes into the concrete and secure the sculpture. (Hampton Cranes generously donates their services).

If the press would like to watch and interview artists, the best opportunity is Tuesday, June 8th beginning at 11:15 am in front of the Figge Art Museum. Nicole Beck will install a stainless steel, mosaic, and stained-glass sculpture with solar lighting that was inspired by the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright. A crane will then move down the street, just past the Redstone Building to install a stainless-steel sculpture suggestive of feathers or leaves twisting and reaching toward the sky, by Michael Young. Next, a 15’ tall, red steel sculpture called “Wending” created by Ted Sitting Crow Gardner, will be installed in front of the parking garage at 2nd, between Ripley and Harrison. All three artists are from Chicago. As part of the Downtown Davenport Partnership’s plan to make downtown Davenport more walkable, the new sculptures provide opportunities to slow down and look at the art. Selfies are encouraged and visitors can tag #QuadCityArts to tag us on Instagram, or @QuadCityArts to tag us on Facebook.  
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​Over the next two weeks, Quad City Arts is facilitating the replacement of five public sculptures in Bettendorf, sponsored by the City of Bettendorf; four in Moline, sponsored by Moline Center; and three in Rock Island, sponsored by the City of Rock Island. Four new sculptures will be added along 2nd Ave. in Davenport, sponsored by The Downtown Davenport Partnership.

Rock Island has purchased two previously rented sculptures for their permanent collection: “Moon Shadow” by Peter Gray of Chicago will be moved from Five Points to Weber Park and “Growing Up” by Ben Pierce of Cape Girardeau, MO will remain in front of the Centennial Bridge Visitor’s Center. Geneseo Public Library has purchased “Just Visiting” by Donald Horstman, of Fenton, MO to remain in the library entrance area.

Complete list of sculptures with installation location:

Moline:

1.  “High and Dry” by Kyle Fokken (Minneapolis, MN). Bass Street Landing. 1601 River Drive
2. “Gears of Change” by Hilde DeBruyne (Cumming, IA). Mercado on 5th, 421 12th Street
3. “Mercury” by Terry Karpowicz (Chicago) 15th Street & Great River Front Trail (behind the Radisson Parking lot)
4. “Beginnings” by Ben Pierce (Cape Girardeau, MO), Kone Building, 1 Montgomery Drive

Rock Island:

1. “Window Dressing” by Tim Adams (Webster City, IA). Five Points. 18th Ave. and 17th Street
2. “Expand and Grow” by Micki LeMieux (Chicago). Southwest Branch Library: 9010 Ridgewood Rd.
3. “Wheels on Fire” by Steven Maeck (Burr Oak, IA). Longview Park. 1300 17th Street

Bettendorf:

1. “Ora’s Shelf” by Mike Baur (West Chicago). Veteran’s Memorial Park
2. “Mod Pod” by Gail Katz-James (Minneapolis, MN). Faye’s Field. 2850 Learning Campus Dr.
3. “Majestic Honker” by Pete Segar. Waterfront Convention Center
4. “Sweet Dreams Fly Away” by Paul Bobrowitz (Colgate, WI). Build to Suit (River’s Edge Business Park) 1805 State St.
5. “Coral” by Tim Adams (Webster City, IA). Community Center. 2204 Grant Street
6. “Flame of Remembrance” by Peter Gray (Chicago). Ascentra Credit Union. 2019 Grant Street (Re-leasing for second year)

Davenport (The Downtown Davenport Partnership.)

1. “Wending” by Ted Sitting Crow Garner (Chicago). Parking Ramp on W. 2nd Street.
2. “The Nature of Healing” by Tim Adams (Webster City, IA). Outside Current Hotel. 2nd & Main.
3. “Twist” by Michael Young (Chicago). 126 Main St., in front of the RME Courtyard
4.  “King of Prairie Town” by Nicole Beck (Chicago). Figge Art Museum, 225 W. Second St.
   
   

Last night, Kevin Maynard, Quad City Arts’ Executive Director, took the stage at the Rhythm City Casino Resort to share the successes of the past year at Quad City Arts. Despite a challenging couple of years, there was a lot to celebrate. Maynard’s presentation reminded attendees about the numerous Quad City Arts’ programs, what is yet to come this year, and how none of these things would be possible without support from the community. While the 2022 year is nearly half over, Quad City Arts still has numerous projects in the works outside of our regular programs:

· Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce and the City of Rock Island worked with Quad City Arts and Visit Quad Cities to submit a grant for the Arts Alley redesign and this grant has been fully funded! Quad City Arts will create a process that includes input from the public and the local business owners to help curate the artwork for Arts Alley, but more importantly, will help put artists to work!  

· Soon to be announced, professional development opportunities for artists. The opportunities will range from workshops on framing and photographing your artwork to the in-depth business of being an artist like finding your audience, tax implications of being an artist, e-commerce, and more.  

· Quad City Arts will be working to create a custom Artist Index platform! This Artist Index will help more people connect with artists in our community and it will help Quad City Arts connect with more artists which is going to be important because there are a lot of upcoming artist opportunities!  
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· On top of all of that, you may be asked to fill out a brief survey the next time you attend a performance or arts event. Thanks to support from the Quad Cities Cultural Trust, Visit Quad Cities, and the Iowa Arts Council, Quad City Arts will be working with Americans for the Arts to ensure our region is represented in the next Arts and Economic Prosperity Study. This year-long study will break down the economic impact the arts have on our community. These results will be published in 2023. 
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​Quad City Arts' Board President, Dr. Carolyn Martin, presented the winners of the 2022 Lloyd Schoeneman Community Impact Awards:

David Smith received the award for Outstanding Arts Supporter. David is an artist and owner of David Smith Studios in Geneseo, where he features over 20 different local artists including his own original work, and offers art classes for all ages. He has played a major leadership role in advancing the arts in Geneseo including founding the Geneseo Art Walk, Scarecrow Row, and Arts for All group to promote and support local artists in all disciplines. 
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Dr. Carl Herzig was awarded for Outstanding Arts Educator. As a professor of English at St. Ambrose University, Carl has dedicated over 30 years to teaching and mentoring students in the art of creative writing. He is also the founder and editor of Quercus literary arts magazine since 1992 which publishes writing, artwork, and photography from SAU students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Dr. Herzig, who is retiring at the end of this year, was nominated by an overwhelming number of students and staff that have been positively impacted by him over the years.

Johnnie Cluney received the award for Outstanding Artist. Johnnie is an illustrator and musician from East Moline, IL. He is known for his unique pen & marker illustrations, having fashioned over 10,000 hand-drawn artist portraits for the Daytrotter sessions and album covers for the likes of John Denver, The Lumineers, George Strait, and 60 other national acts. Johnnie’s work can be seen in many iconic designs emblematic of the Quad Cities area including the “Welcome to Davenport” mural at the foot of the Arsenal Bridge. He is also a singer/songwriter having formed and performed in a half-dozen bands in the past 20 years. 

​The Lloyd Schoeneman Community Impact Awards recognize excellence in the Quad Cities arts community. Since 2005, the awards have been given in honor of Lloyd Schoeneman (1951-2001) who began his career with Quad City Arts Council in 1978 and worked tirelessly for the arts and artists in our community. 

The awards feature an enclosed rubber band ball because Lloyd liked to make rubber band balls and shoot them over the cubicle walls. Creating something colorful, fun, and unique from everyday objects was second nature to him. The award has become a symbol of Lloyd’s playful and creative spirit.

In closing, Maynard stressed that all of this is only possible through the hard work of many individuals:  
· The Quad City Arts team works daily to create arts opportunities for our community.  
· The Quad City Arts Board of Directors, who set the direction for the organization.  
· The committees of volunteers who help guide and shape programs and events.  
· Grantors who help fund the programs.  
· Sponsors who make events possible.  
· Donors who see the value in the arts, the impact of the arts, and want to create a thriving artist community in the Quad Cities.   
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Thank you to our creative community! We can't wait to do more with your help!
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Stream the full presentation and award ceremony on Facebook!
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