Public Sculptures

The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all true art and science. - Albert Einstein

Downtown Outdoor Art & Science Walk

The Aurora Downtown Outdoor Art and Science Walk was initiated by the Aurora Public Art Commission in 1999. The Art and Science Walk offers large-scale contemporary sculptures, each of which demonstrates intriguing scientific themes and principles. The purpose of the Walk is to provide highly visible and easily accessible objects of art and learning, which will simultaneously beautify the downtown and provide interactive educational opportunities for both residents and non-residents.

In 1999 APAC commissioned artist Christian Tobin to create a sculpture for the corner of Stolp Avenue and Benton Street. Tobin created Isaac2/Swimming Stones, a kinetic, interactive sculpture and fountain. Isaac2, which was unveiled on June 29, 2001 transformed the Stolp Avenue and Benton Street site from an empty green space to a promenade and gathering place for visitors of all ages.

Isaac2 / Swimming Stones

A kinetic sculpture by Christian Tobin, dedicated June 29, 2001. Isaac2 a fountain sculpted by internationally acclaimed artist Christian Tobin brings to Aurora the most mysterious essence of both science and art. Here the hydro-static force of water unleashing the kinetic energy of stone creates a work of compelling vitality inviting us to look and linger, talk and even dream. These four massive granite obelisks- 12 feet in height, weighing 4000 pounds each- feature top-stone segments, rhythmically rocking and swiveling, balanced on cushions of water.
A pink sculpture of vertical stones.
Each time a top-stone centers itself on the middle of its tower and is restored to equilibrium, the power of gravity is once more proclaimed: each turn of a stone replying to the center of the earth. The elemental effect of the force of water through each of these commanding rock pillars cascading onto the pedestrian walk below brings us together with the laws of nature and the transformational power of art.

This sculpture was specially commissioned for this site by the City of Aurora Public Art Commission to inaugurate the Aurora Downtown Art and Science Walk series.

Mastodon Dig


A sculpture in bronze by Erik Blome. This sculpture, located near the Visitor's Center at Phillips Park, was commissioned in 2004 by the Aurora Public Art Commission. The sculpture, which is slightly larger than life sized, features a Civil Works Administration worker digging up a mastodon bone. The work commemorates the 1934 unearthing of several mastodon bones while CWA workers dug the basin for the lake in Aurora's Phillips Park.
A sculpture of a man digging.
The bones are estimated to be between 10,000 to 20,000 years old and include a 6-foot long tusk, ribs, vertebrae and a 92-pound lower jaw, which is depicted in the sculpture. They are currently housed at the Phillips Park Visitors Center. Erik Blome is a nationally acclaimed sculptor who has a special talent for portraying the human figure with realism and dynamic flow. His work encompasses everything from small-scale sculpture and drawings created for display in galleries to publicly commissioned monumental size bronzes for stadiums, forest preserves and cities. Mr. Blome was born and raised in the Chicago area.

Other Public Sculpture

  • The Fireman - By A. Joseph Kinkel, 1997. Located at the Aurora Regional Fire Museum.
  • The Bears and Animal Reliefs - By Steven Weitzman, 1992. Located at the entryway to the Phillips Park Zoo.
  • The Journeyman - By Lauren Grey, 1991. Located at the Aurora Transportation Center.
  • City Lights/City Life - By Jerry Peart, 1987. Located in the park next to the Paramount Arts Centre.