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Council member says he is exploring salvaging Ice Pops sculpture; staff says disposal is scheduled
Summary
Ward 2 City Council member Chris Evans told the commission he has been trying to contact the Florida-based artist about salvaging the Ice Pops sculpture and moving it to the IMC porch, but he does not yet have Independent Media Center approval. Staff said the sculpture needs substantial repair and, absent new arrangements, is scheduled to be deinstalled and disposed of on Friday.
Ward 2 City Council member Chris Evans told the Urbana Arts and Culture Commission he has been playing phone tag with the Florida-based artist who created the Ice Pops sculpture and is exploring whether the artist or another party could salvage and move the piece, potentially to the Independent Media Center’s front porch at the expense of the IMC. Evans described the inquiry as exploratory and said he did not yet have IMC approval.
Staff provided background: the sculpture (by Craig Gray, per staff) has required repairs in the past, the artist previously suggested disposal, and staff said the public-art contract language typically allows for a period after which a sculpture can be picked up by the artist or disposed of. Staff said the Ice Pops deinstallation and disposal were scheduled for Friday unless new arrangements are made.
Evans said the idea was “strictly exploratory” and framed it as an effort to give the sculpture a second life; staff thanked him for informing the commission and encouraged any follow-up be coordinated with the Independent Media Center and public-works staff.
