Bid on Public Art Rocking Chairs

RACINE, WI – This Amish-built rocking chairs, which have beautified downtown all summer, go up for online auction beginning Sept. 1^st. Proceeds from the online auction will help keep downtown vibrant by supporting the organization whose mission is to foster economic, social, and cultural diversity by stimulating business development, programming events, and marketing downtown to the community, developers, and tourists. Opening bids for the 18 chairs up for auction start at $300 and the bidding will close at 11:59 pm on September 10. To participate and view chairs that will be up for auction, visit RacineDowntown.com and click on the Auctions tab.

There is also a self-guided scavenger hunt with the rocking chairs that people are encouraged to participate in at their leisure all summer long. The scavenger hunt is fun and appropriate for all ages.  Each rocking chair has a question that relates to the chair’s artistic design. Any person wanting to participate will be awarded a $5 Downtown gift card (valid at over 100 locations) for answering at least 15 of the questions correctly. Map and questions for scavenger hunt can be picked up at the DRC office (425 Main St.) or viewed on racinedowntown.com/events.

Rocking Chairs that are up for auction this year include:

Nancy Barthuly – Navigating Racine

Chelsey Cacciotti – Giardino di Bottoni

Evergreen Academy – Drip

Hailey Fischer – Lazy Daisies

Liz Gage – Norwegian Rosemaled

Liz Gage – Sunflower Dreams

Shannon Gegare – Rockin’ Rhymes

Rachel Hankwitz – Wildflowers

Brenda Lois – Rocking the Beatles

Connie Meredith – Southern Comfort

Samantha Moe – My Oasis

Paul Muckler – Wisconsin Rocks!

Paul Muckler – Rockin’ Robin

Bill Reid, Vicki Schmitz, Holly Wolf-Mattick & Prairie Art Dept. – Flyover States

Tara Schmidt – Sounds of Spring

Jessica VandeLeest – Rocking the 90’s

Nicki Zimmer – Space is the Breath of Art

RYOCF Persons in our Care – Not Titled

8 rocking chairs have been graciously sponsored to stay in our downtown for years to come for all to enjoy:

Peg Ducommun – Release the Krackin’

Kelly Witte – Rad to the Max

Craig Welch – Rocking to the USA

Rebecca McGowan – Reflections

Jil Radke – Rockin’ Our Way to Vacay!

Elizabeth Stalman – The Patriot

Danielle Frees – Setting Sail

Marcia Baxter & Margie Bong – Sit N Seek

“We’re so proud that we are one of only a few communities in the nation that has displayed a public art project in downtown for over 20 consecutive years. I believe these rocking chairs will be a huge hit. The designs range from The Beatles, to a 90’s theme, Nursery Rhymes, Badgers and even one made with over 9,000 buttons,” said Kelly Kruse, executive director of the Downtown Racine Corporation.

Kruse explained that the DRC’s choice of functional art for this year’s project was guided not only with the desire to beautify downtown, but also to help with the added need for outdoor seating and dining due to the pandemic.

“I love this year’s public art project!  The rocking chairs are sturdy, fun, and functional, and the artists did a beautiful job this year of highlighting popular themes.  And the scavenger hunt is always a hit with families looking for summer fun.  I’m proud of how this project keeps the Downtown as a great destination for fun, food, and shopping,” added M.T. Boyle, Chair of the Downtown Racine Corporation Board.

DOWNTOWN RACINE CORPORATION: Downtown Racine Corporation, a non-profit whose mission is to foster economic, social, and cultural diversity by stimulating business development, programming events, and marketing downtown to the community, developers, and tourists.