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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 Celebrate the Light: Figge Art Museum’s Free GLOW UP Party to Debut Iowa’s Largest Public Artwork

Davenport, Iowa (May 15, 2025) – On Saturday, May 17, from 7:00 – 10:00 p.m., the Figge Art Museum invites the community to light up the night at GLOW UP, a free public party marking the debut of Evanescent Field—the largest public art installation in Iowa. Designed by internationally acclaimed artist Leo Villareal, the permanent light installation will transform the Figge and the Quad Cities skyline into a vibrant new Midwest landmark.

This once-in-a-generation celebration takes place on the Figge’s Bechtel Plaza and features live music, food trucks, interactive artmaking, family activities, and free museum admission. The evening culminates with the grand unveiling of Evanescent Field at 8:45 p.m., followed by a performance from indie rock icon Ben Kweller, fresh off a sold-out Chicago show.

Live Entertainment Schedule:

• 7:00-7:30 p.m. | QCSO Brass Quintet (Quad City Symphony Orchestra)
• 7:30-8:30 p.m. | The Blackstones (local classic rock band)
• 8:45 p.m. | Unveiling of Evanescent Field
• 9:00-10:00 p.m. | Ben Kweller (national headliner)

Activities & Attractions:

• Free admission to the Figge’s galleries
• The Snap Wagon Photo Booth
• Face painting, balloon art, and caricature drawing
• Community Canvas Project: contribute to a collaborative artwork for the Figge’s upcoming Chain Reaction exhibition
• Quad City Botanical Center’s Plant Discovery Bus
• Block-printing activity with Putnam Museum and Science Center
• Family fun project with Quad City Arts

Food Trucks & Drinks on the Plaza:

• Grilled Cheese Bar
• Full Nelson
• Mi Oaxaca
• Here’s the Scoop
• Figge Bar (beverages)

GLOW UP is presented as part of the Quad Cities Cultural Trust’s Culture Bright Spring Event Series with generous participation from the Quad City Symphony Orchestra, Quad City Arts, Quad City Botanical Center, Common Chord, and the Putnam Museum and Science Center.

Make a Night of It:
After the lights go up, the celebration continues inside the museum with AfterGLOW at the Figge, a ticketed after-party from 10:00 p.m. to midnight, featuring DJ Clife, the Lavender Lux glow cocktail, light-up swag, and unbeatable views of Evanescent Field from the Figge’s glass-walled lobby and café. Tickets are available for $25 at the door and include admission to the after-party and a glow cocktail.

Join us for an unforgettable evening that shines a new light on the Figge, the riverfront, and the cultural vibrancy of the Quad Cities. Learn more at: https://www.subscribepage.io/F...

Bonus Local Experiences:
To learn about more ways to celebrate with our community partners, such as Visit Quad Cities and UP Skybar, visit our website at figgeartmuseum.org or the event landing page above.

About Evanescent Field: 
Commissioned in honor of the Figge’s Centennial, Evanescent Field by Leo Villareal is a one-mile-long, four-sided light sculpture that bathes the museum in constantly evolving color. Inspired by the movement of the Mississippi River, Villareal’s signature sequencing ensures the patterns never repeat. This long-awaited project fulfills Pritzker award-winning architect Sir David Chipperfield’s original vision for the Figge to glow from within, illuminating a bright future for arts and culture in the Midwest.

About the Figge Art Museum: 
The Figge Art Museum is dedicated to bringing art and people together. Located on the Mississippi River in downtown Davenport, the Figge is the premier art exhibition and education facility between Chicago and Des Moines. Its landmark glass building houses a renowned collection, engaging exhibitions, and community-centered programs. Admission is free on Thursday nights.

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