On April 15, 2026, the City of Dubuque announced the eleven sculptures selected for the 20th annual Art on the River temporary public art exhibit. Titled Stillness in the Driftless, the 2026–2027 season invites residents and visitors alike to pause amid the Mississippi Riverfront and reflect on the quiet resilience of the surrounding landscape. The works will be installed in early August 2026 and remain on view through July 2027 along the Port of Dubuque’s Riverwalk, transforming a busy public corridor into a contemplative outdoor gallery.

This year’s selections were drawn from a competitive pool of 53 applications submitted by 32 artists representing 12 states. A community jury of arts professionals evaluated entries for artistic merit, thematic alignment, site suitability, and community impact. All chosen pieces will be available for purchase, with a portion of proceeds reinvested to sustain the program, which operates on the City’s general operating budget rather than dedicated arts grants.

Understanding the Theme: Stillness in the Driftless

The Driftless Area is a distinctive geological region spanning parts of Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Illinois that the last Ice Age largely bypassed. Its dramatic limestone bluffs, deep valleys, spring-fed streams, and rolling ridges create a landscape of surprising verticality and biodiversity right along the Mississippi. “Stillness in the Driftless” celebrates the power of pause—those moments when the river’s constant flow meets the enduring quiet of the bluffs, revealing deeper connections to place, renewal, and belonging.

a world of constant motion, the theme asks viewers to slow down, notice subtle textures of light and shadow on the water, and consider how stillness can foster personal and communal reflection. The sculptures, placed along a linear Riverwalk that itself mirrors the river’s gentle drift, will embody this dialogue between movement and repose.

The Selected Sculptures

The 2026–2027 exhibit features the following works, listed alphabetically by title:

•  “Action Reaction” by Chris Wubbena (Jackson, MO)

•  “Air Garden II” by Steve Buduo (Providence, RI)

•  “Avenue Dream Catcher” by Mark Hall (Cokato, MN)

•  “Cohesive Narrative” by Kristin Garnant (Camanche, IA)

•  “Extruded Life” by Jarod Charzewski (Charleston, SC)

•  “Lumenfly” by Kirk Seese (Lutherville Timonium, MD)

•  “Solitude” by Mark and Hannah Ricke (Oconomowoc, WI)

•  “Spiritcycle” by Nathan Pierce (Cape Girardeau, MO)

•  “The Key to Dubuque” by Thealey Hozer and Danielle Jelinek (Hempstead High School, Dubuque, IA)

•  “Topography of Stillness” by Lucas Delaney (Dubuque, IA)

•  “Unci Maka” by Timothy Sprengelmeyer (Dubuque, IA)

The list showcases geographic diversity while highlighting strong local representation, including works by Dubuque-area artists and a collaborative piece created by local high-school students—an important nod to youth engagement in public art.

Note on visuals: Official high-resolution images of these specific 2026–2027 sculptures are not yet publicly released, as the works have not been installed. Below are representative views of the Riverwalk itself (where the sculptures will live) and the broader Driftless landscape that inspired the theme. These provide essential context for the exhibit’s setting and atmosphere.

The Jury Panel: Expertise Guiding Excellence

A three-person jury brought deep knowledge to the selection process:

•  Glenn Williams – Associate Professor of Art and Area Head of Sculpture at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, offering national-level perspective on sculptural practice and public installation.

•  Ellen Henkels – Dubuque visual arts educator and teaching artist, grounding decisions in local educational and community needs.

•  Bryce Taylor – Professor at Loras College in Dubuque, contributing insights into arts programming and cultural development in the region.

Their combined expertise ensured selections that are both artistically ambitious and responsive to the unique character of the Riverwalk and the Driftless theme.

Celebration and Community Access

A free, family-friendly reception will mark the official launch on Friday, August 7, 2026, from 5–7 p.m. at the Grand River Center (500 Bell Street). Attendees can enjoy live music, light hors d’oeuvres, and a cash bar on the patio while meeting the artists. In the event of inclement weather, activities will move indoors. This gathering underscores Art on the River’s role as a genuinely public experience—open to all, regardless of background or artistic familiarity.

For the latest details, visit the City of Dubuque’s Art on the River: Stillness in the Driftless webpage. Questions can be directed to Arts & Cultural Affairs Manager Bonnie Spurling at bspurlin@cityofdubuque.org or 563-513-5636.

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