The St. Clair County Transit District (SCCTD) is hosting a public event celebrating Rails, Trails and Art with food, fun, and prizes along the MetroBikeLink featuring local architect-artist, Gary Karasek’s Schtick People Sculptures on Saturday, May 11, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Belleville MetroLink Station and along the MetroBikeLink Trail. Sponsored by UMB Bank, Rails, Trails and Art is a series of vibrant, moving Shtick People Sculptures that have been installed along the 11 mile trail. The event will kick off with a dedication event at 9 a.m. at the Belleville MetroLink Station and then an interactive scavenger hunt for all 10 art pieces from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. along the trail and MetroLink alignment.
Participants will receive a special event map at the Belleville MetroLink Station that they are encouraged to fill with stickers collected from volunteers stationed at each of the ten Schtick People Sculptures, to then be entered into a prize drawing. Participants do not have to be present to win, and it is not required to visit all ten sculptures to enter the drawing. Winners will be notified following the event and will receive $50 in Art on the Square Bucks from Art on the Square for the art festival the following weekend as well as a transit two-hour pass booklet valued at $30 compliments of Citizens for Modern Transit.
“We are so pleased with the positive impact this partnership has brought to fruition,” said Herb Simmons, St. Clair County Transit District Board Chair. “Creating community spaces that are both functional and beautiful enhances the entire community by fostering civic pride, encourages healthy habits like walking, biking and using transit, and highlights new ways for people to get around in a more environmentally friendly and fun way. This project “personifies” the fun and enjoyment of multimodal recreation and transportation in Southwester Illinois.”
The installation of the sculptures along the MetroBikeLink Trail was made possible through a collaboration between St. Clair County Transit District, Art on the Square, UMB Bank and local architect-artist Gary Karasek.