Elgin's America 250 Sculpture Unveiling

Join Side Street Studio Arts, the Elgin Cultural Arts Commission, the Illinois Arts Council, and Your Neighbor Elgin for the unveiling of Elgin's permanent America 250 public sculpture!

To celebrate the nation's 250th anniversary, we invited Elgin youth to imagine the future of America through original artwork. The selection panel unanimously chose the design of Nathan Adeosun, who was 12 when he created "Pursuit of Happiness." His design envisions a nation that is "diverse yet united, strong yet peaceful, innovative yet rooted in history, free yet compassionate, reborn yet recognizable."

At the heart of the sculpture is a monumental hand in bronze, silver, and steel tones, representing the many people and cultures that make up our nation. Around it are a butterfly for rebirth, the Statue of Liberty releasing a dove, a mother and child, and a dancing couple celebrating joy and connection.

Over the past several months, Nathan worked with local artists and fabricators to turn his drawing into a permanent sculpture for downtown Elgin. Come see it revealed, celebrate Nathan, and be part of a piece of Elgin history!

 Corner of S. Riverside Drive & Prairie Street, downtown Elgin

 Free and open to the public

Learn more: sidestreetstudioarts.org/america250

Sponsored by Senator Cristina Castro, Ziegler's Ace Hardware, the Palmer Foundation, and Grand Victoria Foundation.

Funded by the Illinois Arts Council's America's 250th Public Art Grant.