Artist Ray Paseka, who brought the idea for silo art to the area, explains how Mendota’s brightly colored public art piece will leave a positive and lasting impression on many people for years to come. Paseka spoke during a presentation at the Mendota Civic Center on June 7. (Reporter photos by Jennifer Sommer)

MENDOTA - Corn may be commonplace in the Mendota area, but this year one special ear of corn will definitely be a standout. Later this summer, a silo owned by Northern Partners will serve as a canvas for a gigantic 65-foot ear of corn and become the very first “silo art” installation in the region.

Mendota’s large-scale public art will be the first of 15 painted silos that are planned as part of the Silo Pathways Project. This inaugural art project was made possible through a collaboration between the City of Mendota, the Mendota Area Chamber of Commerce, Northern Partners Cooperative and North Central Illinois (NCI) ARTworks.

The Silo Pathways Project was conceived by NCI ARTworks, a non-profit arts organization headquartered in Peru, to create a regional tourist attraction along a driving route in and around LaSalle, Bureau and Putnam counties and parts of five adjacent counties.

Announcement of the details surrounding Mendota’s involvement in the program was made on June 7 during an After Hours event held at the Mendota Civic Center, hosted by the Mendota Area Chamber of Commerce. The After Hours included a presentation on the purpose of the Silo Pathways Project and detailed plans for Mendota’s silo art. Speakers included Mendota Economic Development Director/City Clerk Emily McConville, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jesse Arellano, NCI ARTworks President Chris Coughlin, artist Ray Paseka and Northern Partners Cooperative Director of Energy Steve Villegas.

Arellano, who unveiled the design of the artwork, said the Chamber is currently in planning mode for this year’s Sweet Corn Festival and they are very excited about the giant ear of corn. Titled “Mendota Gold,” the huge work of art will be visible to people traveling on Amtrack and to the downtown area. “It will be a symbol of community pride and hopefully help with economic development,” Arellano explained. “We hope it will do many positive things for the City of Mendota.”

With the first silo art about to become a reality in Mendota, Coughlin reflected on the past two years of planning for the Silo Pathways Project. In 2016, while considering ways to create public art, they met Paseka, who had been driving to the area from Palos Hills looking for a place to establish an art workshop. “Most of us live around here all our lives, drive by silos and barns every day and don’t think about them as art,” she explained.

After talking to Paseka and seeing a large group of concepts for silo art, Coughlin came to Mendota and met with Northern Partners, McConville and Arellano to discuss a project NCI Artworks would facilitate. “We organized a standing committee, Silo Pathways Legacy Project, a group of 17 people committed to helping municipalities, farmers, citizens and corporations to try to establish the first art around our region,” she said. “We have worked for a long time to get to the point that Mendota is actually going to be the trailblazer and have the first silo art.”

Coughlin said Paseka will be assisted by two local artists, Marlee Theisinger and Rachel Brisbois, to create 31 aluminum panels measuring 10 by 4 feet each. The curved panels will be painted using finishes to preserve and protect the image for decades and then the panels will be anchored to the silo.

Villegas, who spoke on behalf of Northern Partners, said they are proud to support the community by partnering in this project. “The project embodies what we do in these communities - agriculture - and what we represent,” he commented. “It’s an exciting time for Mendota and we’re proud to share this with all who come through our community for many generations to come.”

In closing, McConville said the total cost of the project is estimated at $50,000. As of June 7, the city had pledges of $20,500 toward that amount, $10,000 from hotel motel tax (which can only be used on tourism), $10,000 from the Chamber and $500 from NCI Artworks. On June 11, First State Bank pledged another $10,000 toward the project.

McConville said their goal is to raise enough money so the project can be completed before the Sweet Corn Festival in August. “It’s an aggressive timeline but while working for the city, I have learned that if we want to get something done, we can if we all pitch in,” she said.

To make a donation or for more information, contact the Mendota City Clerk’s office at (815) 539-7459 or the Mendota Area Chamber of Commerce at (815) 539-6507.