Beyond the Sculptures
Emily Baffa
Sept 22, 2022
Illinois Central College (ICC) displays an impressive collection of art, many of which are part of the Percent for Art program. Jennifer Costa, an art professor and enthusiast, plays a role in the committee that chooses the artwork that can be found on campus. The Percent for Art program states that anytime a public building is being built with public funds, .05% of the total cost funds an art project to beautify the new building and inspire those who see it.
When a sculpture on campus is funded as part of the Percent for Art program, a committee is formed composed of members of the Illinois Fine Art Review Committee, the community, and select faculty members at ICC. Following open call entries from artists across Illinois, many proposals and portfolios are reviewed before the committee selects three of the artists to make a formal presentation. The three candidates provide models of their proposed designs. The committee votes for the best candidate and then allows the artist one year to complete the piece.
Costa serves on the art committee that selected the metal Cornucopia, located in the courtyard on the East Peoria campus. She also had a hand in selecting the artwork that will accompany the completion of the Workforce Sustainability Center currently being constructed next to the Dirksen building. Costa also contributed by creating the round wooden ICC seal found in the Performing Art Center (PAC) to commemorate the 50th anniversary of ICC.
Many pieces on campus are chosen through the Percent for Art program, while others are donated. Donated artwork is accepted if there is a place for it and if it is easily maintainable.
“Go check out the art! People don’t have the opportunity to go to a gallery or museum to look at the artwork, but they can look at the artwork on campus that they pass by every day,” Costa implores.
From beautiful sculptures that honor the legacy we leave behind to intricate pieces celebrating the gift of life through organ transplant, each piece of art on campus holds a timeless story that will inspire generations to come.