Iowa Avenue Literary Walk/Iowa City Public Art
www.icgov.org/default/?id=1585
From acclaimed poets and playwrights, to accomplished novelists and journalists, Iowa has been both host and home to literary genius. The Iowa Avenue Literary Walk, conceptualized by the Iowa City Public Art Advisory Committee in 1999, celebrates works by 49 writers who have ties to Iowa. The Literary Walk is comprised of a series of bronze relief panels that feature authors' words as well as attribution. The panels are visually connected by a series of general quotations about books and writing stamped into the concrete sidewalk. All artwork, by Gregg LeFevre, is set in the pavement along both sides of Iowa Avenue from Clinton Street to Gilbert Street.
Take a stroll along the Literary Walk, and you'll discover the outstanding array of material represented: there are passages from children's books, quotes from memoirs, and dialogue from plays and short stories. In some instances, you'll notice Iowa's direct influence on the writers' work; Herbert Quick, Bess Streeter Aldrich, and W.P. Kinsella are among several to make reference to Iowa in their featured passages.
The "Author" section includes Literary Walk quotes as well as brief biographical information for each writer. Each entry reveals the writer's connection to Iowa. Josephine Herbst, William Shirer, and Amy Clampitt were born in the state while others, such as Kurt Vonnegut, Flannery O'Connor, and Rita Dove were involved with the University of Iowa Writers' Workshop, the internationally acclaimed creative writing program.
Iowa Avenue Literary Walk booklets are available for a nominal fee at Prairie Lights Bookstore or Iowa Book & Supply.
The Public Art Program was established by the Iowa City City Council in 1997. The Public Art Advisory Committee was also established to oversee the operations of the Public Art Program and advise the City Council on potential sites that can be enhanced by the addition of public art and also recommend various pieces of artwork. The Public Art Program focuses its attention on the downtown area, primarily on the pedestrian mall. | Member Since 2009
Contact Information:
Iowa Avenue
Iowa City, IA 52240
phone: (319) 356-5000
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