The St. Clair County Transit District (SCCTD) is hosting an event in celebration of the new “Rails, Trails and Art” installation featuring ten, vibrant, moving Shtick People Sculptures created by local architect-artist Gary Karasek, which are now positioned along the 11-mile MetroBikeLink. This free, community event, slated for Saturday, May 11, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Belleville MetroLink Station, will kick-off with a formal art dedication ceremony, followed by an interactive scavenger hunt, food, fun and prizes. During this timeframe, SCCTD will be offering free MetroLink rides from the East Riverfront Station to Shiloh-Scott Station to encourage residents to get out and explore in Southwestern Illinois.
Participants will receive a special event map at the Belleville MetroLink Station that they are encouraged to fill with stickers collected from volunteers stationed at each of the ten Schtick People Sculptures, to then be entered into a prize drawing. Participants do not have to be present to win, and it is not required to visit all ten sculptures to enter the drawing. Winners will be notified following the event and will receive $50 in Art on the Square Bucks from Art on the Square for the art festival the following weekend as well as a transit two-hour pass booklet valued at $30 compliments of Citizens for Modern Transit.
“We are so pleased with the positive impact this partnership has brought to fruition,” said Herb Simmons, St. Clair County Transit District Board Chair. “Creating community spaces that are both functional and beautiful enhances the entire community by fostering civic pride, encourages healthy habits like walking, biking and using transit, and highlights new ways for people to get around in a more environmentally friendly and fun way. This project “personifies” the fun and enjoyment of multimodal recreation and transportation in Southwester Illinois.”
The installation of the sculptures along the MetroBikeLink Trail was made possible through a collaboration between St. Clair County Transit District, Art on the Square, UMB Bank and local architect-artist Gary Karasek. The free ride zone, sponsored by SCCTD, will be available only on the Illinois portion of the MetroLink system from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Participant Instructions