Wisevoter
Champaign

Champaign Parks Add Two Sculptures

The Champaign Park District has installed two new public sculptures at Porter Park and downtown Firefighters Park.

Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Fine Art

Tall weathered-steel abstract sculpture rising from a green lawn in a city park with prairie grasses and open sky behind it.
The Champaign Park District installed two new public sculptures this week, one at Porter Park and one at Firefighters Park downtown, as part of an effort to add public art across its parks. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should your local park district spend money on public art installations?

The Champaign Park District installed two new sculptures in city parks. "X Marks the Spot?" by John Adduci, a 10-foot aluminum piece, was placed at the entrance of the Porter Park playground, while "Scalar" by Luke Achterberg, a 7-foot steel work, was installed at Firefighters Park downtown.

Why it matters

The installations are part of an ongoing District effort to improve community aesthetics and add public art across its parks. The District also plans to install more art throughout its parks in the coming months.

"X Marks the Spot?" is a 10-foot aluminum sculpture, and "Scalar" is a 7-foot steel sculpture painted white and orange. Both works will remain in place for two years, and the source does not report their total cost.

The players

Champaign Park District

The Champaign Park District is the local public agency that manages parks and recreation facilities in Champaign, Illinois, and it is leading the installation of new public art.

40North

40North is a Champaign-Urbana organization that issued the call for artists that led to the selection of the sculpture "Scalar."

The details

"X Marks the Spot?" was created in 2017 by Chicago native John Adduci and was chosen to contrast with the seasonal prairie color palette at Porter Park. "Scalar" was sourced through a call for artists issued earlier this year by 40North and was placed at Firefighters Park for its visibility, complementary colors and alignment with flower beds.

Timeline

  1. 2017: John Adduci creates "X Marks the Spot?"

  2. Earlier in 2026: 40North issues a call for artists that leads to "Scalar"

  3. November 2, 2026: The two new sculptures are announced as installed

  4. Next two years: "X Marks the Spot?" and "Scalar" remain on display or leased

  5. Coming months: More art is installed throughout the Champaign Park District

Season Trajectory

The installations extend the Champaign Park District's ongoing effort to add public art to its parks, with more pieces planned for the coming months. The two sculptures bring new visual features to two different park settings in the city.

Residents can see "X Marks the Spot?" at the entrance of the Porter Park playground and "Scalar" at Firefighters Park downtown. Both sculptures are scheduled to remain on display for two years.

The takeaway

Public art installations like these can be seen in person at no cost, making them an easy way for residents to visit local parks and view the work up close.

What happens next

The Champaign Park District plans to install more art throughout the District in the coming months.

Further reading

Explore more about local installations in our Fine Art section.

Live Poll

Should your local park district spend money on public art installations?