'Peacock Chair' wins first prize in Downtown's public art event

"Peacock Chair," by Sherri Shaver won first prize in Downtown Racine Corp's
"Sunny and Chair" public art event.

Sherri Shaver's "Peacock Chair" won the $2,000 first prize in the Downtown Racine Corp's "Sunny and Chair" public art event.

The chair, sponsored by Ron Jones, was located outside of Upurea at 304 Main St. It's an Adirondack bench featuring multi-colored stained glass mosaics on the back and armrests of the chair.

Tom Rauschke's "Trees Chair" won the $1,000 second prize. The chair was sponsored by Gene Johnson and was on display at the Racine Art Museum, 441 Main St. The wooden Adirondack chair and bench is cut and sanded to portray a tree.

Kristin Gjerdset's "Monarch Migration" bench won the $500 third prize. The bench was sponsored by Gabriella and Donald Klein and displayed at Dover Flag and Map, 323 Main St. It was painted entirely with monarch butterflies.

Melanie Hovey, executive director of the Lemon Street Gallery and ArtSpace Inc. evaluated all 54 chairs displayed in Downtown Racine to determine the three prize winners.

Hovery said while judging the chairs she looked at what each artist attempted to do and how successful they were with the finished product. She also wanted to make sure that each piece was a usable, functional piece of art. “I also looked at the backs of each chair,” said Melanie, “to ensure what the artist created was carried through the entire piece.”

“The original designs for both the Peacock Chair and Monarch Migration were submitted as a regular chair. Therefore, it was more difficult to adapt those designs to a bench which both artists were able to do. And the Trees Chair – it was just very well done.”

The chairs will be on exhibit through Labor Day and then will be auctioned to the highest bidders at a public auction which will be held on Saturday, September 12. The Chair Today; Gone Tomorrow auction will be held at Monument Square in Downtown Racine. The chairs will be on display at Monument Square beginning at 2 p.m. with the voice auction beginning at 3 p.m. The silent auction will follow the voice auction and will begin at approximately 4 p.m.

Following the auction, everyone is invited to stay at Monument Square to enjoy the country rock music of Trigger Gospel, who is performing the final concert of this year’s Summer Nights at the Square concert series. Named after an old Western novel, ANNA FERMIN’S Trigger Gospel reflects a spirited sound that intertwines hometown country and rock & roll with “a strong melodic-pop appeal.” This free outdoor concert will be held from 7-9 p.m. and is sponsored by a grant from the Osborne and Scekic Family Foundation.

Admission to both the auction and concert is free of charge and is open to the public. Food and refreshments will be available for sale throughout the day. In the event of inclement weather, both the auction and concert will be held at Memorial Hall.