John Dixon Statue Fundraiser

Oct. 11, 2010


A fundraising reception will be held at the Crystal Cork on Thursday, Oct. 28 from 6-9 p.m. in support of the Dixon Main Street Public Arts Project. That evening, the public will be able to talk with the artist, view the table-top bronze statue of John Dixon, learn about the project and help support this great project to honor Dixon's founding father. Admission is free for the fundraising reception, but donations will be accepted.

Dixon Main Street executive director Josh Albrecht said he is excited to showcase the table top bronze version of the John Dixon statue that artist Michael McNammara of Grand Detour has been working on.

"With the table top bronze, we are one step closer to making this statue a reality in downtown Dixon," Albrecht said. "Now we need the community's support to take the next step and have the life-sized version completed."

In the spring of 2009, Dixon Main Street’s Design Committee launched a statue project that would focus on honoring and remembering the founders of Dixon. The project’s announcement coincided with the annual Founders’ Day celebration that pays tribute to the people that helped to lay the foundation of what Dixon is today.

In an effort to honor the first resident, the committee settled upon raising the money to honor Father John Dixon in a life-sized bronze statue that would be set in downtown Dixon. The plan was to honor the story of John Dixon coming to the downtown as an elderly man to sit and visit with the people of the community.

Now, a year and a half later, the committee is working on getting the funding secured for this great project. Many have donated their spare change and one donor has given a significant donation to get the ball rolling.

The table top version has been cast in bronze for a limited edition series of 10 pieces. As part of the fundraising effort, those 10 bronzes will be given to the first 10 donors giving $3,000 or more to the project. Only eight of the table top bronze statues are still available. Also, as part of the fundraising reception on Oct. 28, the Crystal Cork will donate 10 percent of their sales that evening to the statue project.

"The table top bronze is a magnificent piece. I can't wait to see the life-sized sculpture completed and in downtown Dixon," Albrecht said.

Donations to the statue project can be made to Dixon Main Street, 115 S. Hennepin Ave., Dixon, IL 61021. Dixon Main Street is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. For more information, call 288-2308 or email mainst@grics.net.