Contact:
Patricia Eldred, 608 274-7900
peldred@indepenliving.com
MADISON — Independent Living Inc. is pleased to announce a $21,650 grant from the Madison Community Foundation to be used for the creation of a community sculpture in the City of Fitchburg. “The sculpture project is part of Independent Living’s commitment to enhance the quality of life for older adults through stimulating, cultural activities and programs that have an intergenerational component,” notes Independent Living CEO, Rita Giovannoni.
“The project will bring together residents of Independent Living’s McKee Park Apartments and others in the Fitchburg community to design and create a Ferro-concrete sculpture in two parts – one located on the grounds of McKee Park Apartments and the other across the road at the entrance to McKee Farms Park. Design and construction of the sculpture will encourages interaction between the generations and will serve as a metaphoric bridge between the older adults and others in the community,” Giovannoni reports.
Acclaimed regional sculptor Bill Grover, known for his large and often whimsical works, will meet with interested community volunteers to help elicit and encourage their vision and help them transform it into a three-dimensional work of art. He will help them create a site plan, develop preliminary and scale models and finally, construct the actual sculpture. “This is a terrific opportunity for children and adults of all ages to learn and work together for the benefit of their community. Working with volunteers ensures that the resulting sculpture is “owned” by the community and greatly reduces costs associated with constructing a piece of public art,” Grover explains.
Mr. Grover, who also received Wisconsin Arts Board funding for the project, has completed similar works in Madison and Milwaukee and at other Wisconsin sites. “This strong endorsement and support by the Madison Community Foundation will be key to our raising the remaining funding and recruiting the many volunteers needed to complete the project,” Grover said.
Independent Living, Inc. is a nonprofit, multi-service agency that assists older adults and people with disabilities, enabling them to live with dignity and independence and to maintain health and well-being. Its website is www.indepenliving.com.
The Madison Community Foundation delivers opportunity for individuals, families, organizations and communities. It seeks to help people realize their philanthropic goals and foster the growth of vital community assets. More information is available at www.madisoncommunityfoundation.org.
