Mundelein’s Village Board Monday narrowly approved that a new statue be installed in the heart of town, but some in the community are unsure about potential religious connotations related to the art piece.
Trustees meanwhile voiced concerns over community input and the location.
The sculpture, a 10-foot-tall metallic piece resembling a flame created by Kenosha-based artist Bruce Niemi, was originally named, “Glorious Ascent.” While officials clarified the name can be changed once purchased by the village, the item caused a stir for some who worry the art is an example of Mundelein potentially showing a religious preference.
The Mundelein Arts Commission approved the purchase of the statue at its Jan. 17 meeting, pending Village Board approval. The total cost will come out to $35,000. Officials said they expect the sculpture to be installed in late spring or early summer.
The item garnered attention on social media leading up to Monday’s meeting. Questions about the piece’s location and name, as well as the level of community input, gave trustees pause when it came time to vote.
Some in the community said they were concerned because of Niemi’s stated inspiration. On his website, Niemi says his sculptures are derived from “my love for God who gave me this gift of creativity and the beauty and wonder of the heavens and earth He created.”
Officials said Niemi has had 56 permanent public sculptures featured throughout the U.S. and Europe, including hospitals, libraries, schools and Vernon Hills Village Hall. They also said Niemi has connections to Mundelein.
Village officials said the art commission aimed to pick a piece that would have, “objective mass appeal, rather than something more polarizing or subjective in nature,” and clarified that religion was not involved in the decision. They added that they felt public art would help enhance the community.
“It is a well-accepted principle of urban design that public art does contribute to a community’s identity, fosters community pride and a sense of belonging,” Village Planner Colleen Malec said at the meeting.
The final vote split trustees 3-3, with Mayor Steve Lentz breaking the tie in favor. Trustees Kara Lambert, Erich Schwenk and Sol Cabachuela voted against it. Trustees Jenny Ross, Kerston Russell and Tim Wilson were in favor.
Engaging the community was a question from both Cabachuela and Russell, with the latter suggesting the community be involved in the renaming.
“We serve to the community, and the community needs to be involved,” Russell said.
The piece is slated to be placed at the southwest corner of Park Street and Seymour Avenue at a bump-out in the sidewalk. The spot is in the heart of town, and is in an area the village has focused on growing in the past few years.
Several trustees said they liked the location for it, but some had concerns with it being placed at this time. Russell said his biggest issue was the location due to the additional work that needs to be done on several streets in the area. Lambert agreed, saying she didn’t feel the area was ready for it.
Adam Boeche, director of public works and engineering, said the 350-pound statue is “very movable,” and it can be protected from any construction.
Russell said he felt it was the wrong place because if work was going on, it would be inaccessible to the public. Wilson disagreed, and said he felt if that area is the centerpiece of the community, it was the right place to put the statue.
One resident, Tom Ouimet, also brought up an issue with purchasing the statue to begin with. He brought up village reserves declining over the past several years, and questioned why money was being spent on the piece.
Of the total cost, $20,000 is coming out of the MAC annual budget, while $10,000 is a grant from the Kracklauer Fund for Public Art. Another $5,000 will be needed for a recognition plaque and a concrete base.
“I love art,” Ouimet said. “There has to be a different way other than coming to the Village Board (for money). Now’s not the time. We don’t have it.”
