EDWARDSVILLE — Larger-than-life animals are appearing along the miles of multi-purpose trails across Madison County but the sightings of these creatures are not random — in fact, Madison County Transit officials hope everyone gets to see them.
To celebrate 138 miles of trails and to bring public art into communities, Madison County Transit (MCT) and Agency for Community Transit (ACT) announced the installation of six out of eight large-scale “Trail Critter” sculptures along the MCT Trails.
It’s part of a newly launched “Art on the Trails” initiative.
Created by Texas-based artist, Jeffie Brewer, these captivating sculptures are crafted from durable 10-gauge steel, ensuring longevity, weather resistance and minimal maintenance requirements. The Trail Critter sculptures are a gift to the community from ACT, designed to enhance the visual appeal of the MCT Trails while fostering a sense of playfulness and creativity.
The vibrant and whimsical sculptures are strategically placed in highly visible locations, providing a contrast to the natural greens and browns of the MCT Trails. The intention is to engage trail users of all ages and add a touch of artistry to the outdoor experience.
The Trail Critters and their respective locations are:
- “Radish” — In Collinsville on the MCT Schoolhouse Trail along Horseshoe Lake Road, a 10-feet-tall purple horse
- “Cole” — In Glen Carbon along the MCT Ronald J. Foster Heritage Trail at Main Street, a 12-feet-tall hot pink canary
- “Mary” — In Maryville along the MCT Schoolhouse Trail near Drost Park, a 9-feet-tall red cardinal
- “Marina” — South of Alton on the MCT Confluence Trail overlooking the Mississippi River, a 12-feet-tall yellow heron
- “Jarvis” — In Troy on the MCT Goshen Trail along Old Troy Road, near IL-162, a 10-feet-tall teal bear
- “Nelson” — In Edwardsville at the intersection of the MCT Nature, MCT Nickel Plate and MCT Goshen Trails by Plum Street, an orange kitty standing at 9 feet tall
Two additional Trail Critters will arrive along the MCT Trails in Pontoon Beach and Granite City next spring, expanding the experience throughout Madison County.
“The ‘Art on the Trails’ initiative is yet another way that we are enhancing the MCT Trails experience for our residents and visitors,” said MCT Managing Director SJ Morrison. “I want to thank and recognize the ACT Board of Directors for this generous gift to the MCT Trails and am confident that our critters will bring a smile to trailgoers of all ages.”
About Artist Jeffie Brewer:
Jeffie Brewer grew up in a small, rural town in East Texas. The son of eccentric junk yard owners, he learned to spot beauty in the mundane, developed an array of industrial skills and discovered he had a knack for drawing. Those early revelations have influenced his artistic trajectory ever since.
Brewer earned an MFA in sculpture and metals and an MA in sculpture and painting. He also holds a BFA in drawing, printmaking and jewelry making. He taught a wide range of undergraduate and graduate level art classes from 1998-2019, from sculpture to typography to expressive drawing.
Since his first exhibition in 1998, his work has appeared in both solo and group shows across North America and in Mexico and Japan. Visit his website at jeffiebrewer.com.
To learn more about MCT, ACT, or the MCT Trails, visit www.mct.org or email info@mct.org for information.
