June 04, 2026 

City Manager Pamela Reece

Art, art and more! Public art beautifies our community and helps tell our story. And, in June, we are telling our story! From Harmon Arts Grants, murals and sculptures to live music and more, art reflects the character, history and aspirations of the people who call Normal home.

This month, the Town awarded $50,000 in Harmon Arts grants and we'll soon install a mural at Sprague's Super Service.   

The Sculpture Park in One Normal Plaza is also taking shape. I was there last weekend after two sculptures had been installed. They look amazing! By the end of the week, we'll have three of four planned sculptures in place. These sculptures illustrate how art can transform locations into destinations.

Sunday afternoon's "Retro Roadside Picnic" in honor of Route 66 makes One Normal Plaza even more worth exploring. Put on your dancing shoes, enjoy vintage vibes and classic music, take a spin around the roller rink and so much more! While you're there, visit the Sculpture Park and take in the new mural at Sprague's Super Service. 

As our community continues to grow and evolve, public art serves as a powerful reminder that great places are built not only with roads, buildings and infrastructure, but also with culture, imagination and shared experiences. Investing in public art is an investment in the identity of our community and in the quality of life that makes our town a vibrant place to live, work and visit.

The Harmon Arts Grant Program, named to honor former Mayor Paul Harmon, awarded $50,000 in grants in 2026. On June 1, prior to the Council meeting, Mayor Chris Koos and Former Mayor Harmon distributed checks to the grantees. 

During the presentation, Mayor Koos said, "All of you are important. Your work contributes to the vitality and quality of life of this community. The work you do, the money you have to raise, the volunteers you have to recruit ... all of it requires a lot of effort and dedication. We care about what you do for our community. Thank you."

"These grants expand programming in the community, broadening opportunities available to Normal, Bloomington and McLean County."

-- Former Mayor Paul Harmon

Above: Former Mayor Paul Harmon talks about the importance of the arts in our community. 

Progress continues at the Sculpture Park at 1110 Douglas St., near the Community Activity Center at One Normal Plaza. In May, one sculpture  was installed. Two more sculptures are being installed this week, in time for the Route 66 Centennial celebration at the June 7 Retro Roadside Picnic. 

To commemorate the Route 66 Centennial in 2026, a mural titled "Enjoy a Night Out in Normal" gives a nod to two local landmarks representing the perfect night out in Normal during the heyday of the Mother Road. The mural will be installed June 5 at Sprague's Super Service, 305 E. Pine St., in time for the Route 66 Centennial celebration at the June 7 Retro Roadside Picnic. 

Above: Three artists from Diaz Sign Art in Pontiac paint on a series of metal sheets that will eventually be transported from their Pontiac studio to the historic Sprague's Super Service in Normal for official installation. 

On June 1, the Normal Town Council took the following actions:

To learn more, read the June 1 Council Action Reports. 

Free, Informational presentation: Town Staff demonstrates the power of the Town's Open Data Portal. Learn how you can find ordinances, Town Finances, Police activity and all sorts of interesting data. 

6-7 p.m., Tuesday, June 9

Community Room, Normal Public Library

206 W. College

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