"Ready or Not"
Community Public Art Naming Contest

ALL THE DETAILS: The public is invited to celebrate the installation of new public art along the Cedar Falls trail system with a ribbon-cutting event for Ready or Not, a playful sculpture series by UNI alum artist Beth Nybeck. The event will take place on Friday, April 10, at 5:30 p.m. at Pfeiffer Springs Park (910 Grand Blvd.), the location of one of the three sculptures in the series.

Ready or Not will feature three stainless-steel animal sculptures: a fox, a rabbit, and an otter installed along the Cedar Falls trail system. Exact locations can be found on the City’s Public Art page, visit cedarfalls.com. Free and open to the public, this event offers an opportunity to meet the artist and representatives from the Cedar Falls Public Art Committee and the UNI Public Art Incubator, and to learn more about the collaborative process behind this project.

Beginning March 1, community members are encouraged to participate in a public naming contest for the three individual sculptures. While the overall series is titled Ready or Not, the public is invited to submit creative and playful name ideas for each animal—the fox, rabbit, and otter. Submissions can be made through the following link bit.ly/ReadyOrNotHearst. Winners will be announced during the April 10 ribbon-cutting celebration, via the Hearst Center Facebook page @hearstcenter, and announced on here via our website.

This fun opportunity offers residents a chance to actively engage with and take ownership of this civic art project. “This is a great example of how public art can be something you don’t just walk by, you actively engage with by exploring the trails, sharing ideas, and helping shape the story of these artworks together,” said Cory Hurless, Cultural Programs Supervisor for the City of Cedar Falls.
The Cedar Falls Art & Culture Board will lead an optional bicycle tour of the trail system following the ceremony for those interested in seeing all three sculptures.

Inspired by the experience of being immersed in nature, Nybeck’s work invites viewers into an imaginative game of hide-and-seek. Constructed from stainless steel polygons and quadrilaterals, the sculptures are nestled into the landscape, encouraging trail users to seek, find, and discover moments of surprise and joy along the way.

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CONTEST RULES: Names submitted should be appropriate for all ages. Submissions that include profanity or inappropriate language will be excluded. If the same name is submitted by multiple applicants, the entry that came in first will be the one considered. Names may be submitted by a group, but must include a contact name. Only names submitted through the Official City of Cedar Falls Name an Animal Sculpture form are eligible (social media comments do not count as an entry). Applicants must be at least 18 years old. Those under the age of 18 should have their parent/guardian submit on their behalf. City employees and members of the Art and Culture Board and Cedar Falls Public Art Committee are ineligible to enter the contest. The City has reserved the right to reject any submission for any reason. Applicant agrees to release, defend, indemnify, and hold the City harmless concerning all claims arising from entry. One submission per person/group. See full rules at bit.ly/ReadyOrNotHearst.

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QUESTIONS: Please contact Cory Hurless, Cultural Programs Supervisor, at the.hearst@cedarfalls.com or (319)273-8641.