The Town of Normal debuted a new sculpture park Monday evening, welcoming community members and artists to celebrate the four new works of art at One Normal Plaza.
The sculpture park has been in the works for two years. It was originally approved by the town council in 2024, and the sculptures were purchased in 2025. The work had some false starts when initial bids came in over budget, triggering a second round of bidding.
One Normal Plaza is just off Route 66 on the site of the historic Illinois Soldiers' and Sailors' Children's School [ISSCS], originally established to care for children orphaned during the Civil War.
Jeremy Burdette of Bartonville is the creator of “Happy, Happy, Happy," one of the new pieces featured at the park. He said he first dreamed up the idea for the sculpture while on a flight to Las Vegas for his job as a welding instructor in Pekin.
"I just wanted something happy," Burdette said. "Thought I'd replace all the negativity that was going on at the time."
"Happy, Happy, Happy" is made of architectural steel. Burdette said in the middle of his creative process, he thought he had ruined the piece. He wasn't familiar with the patina he needed to apply after welding. "I'm like, I freaking ruined it, you know," Burdette. "I'm mad at myself!"
Burdette persisted and finished the piece, and said he was happy enough with the final product to submit it for consideration for the sculpture park.
That's where Normal's public art working group came in.
Doug Johnson, executive director of the McLean County Arts Center, worked with the group to choose the pieces among more than 80 submissions.
"The members of the committee, who all served on the review panel, did a fantastic job," Johnson said. "We were very thoughtful about which works were selected, and I think that makes a tremendous difference for all of us."
Johnson said he is encouraged by Normal's commitment to art, and the vast majority of Normalites support public art. He said art in public space "makes a big difference for inspiring tourism."
Mayor Chris Koos said Normal is committed to public art and plans to expand the sculpture park in the future. He said he feels connected to ISSCS because his great-grandfather, John Rogers, was an administrator there in the early 1900s.
"It's such an incredible environment with so much potential," Koos said. "There is just so much opportunity here, and I'm looking forward to see it expand."
Burdette was thrilled when he eventually found out his piece had been selected. "Good grief!" he said when he got the news. "I did it!"
For Burdette, being included in the exhibit has opened up additional opportunities. He said he was approached by the Quad Cities Art Walk, and another of his pieces was chosen for exhibit there.
Burdette said art is a hobby he wants to pursue more when he retires in less than two years.
"The wife does glass, and I do metal," he said. "So, we're really looking at getting into joining those two. And seeing what the future brings."
