August 14, 2024 (PEORIA, IL) The city of Peoria held a rededication event on the riverfront today for one of Preston Jackson’s sculptures in Liberty Park, located in the 300 block of SW Water Street. “Flight of the Cakewalkers”, a painted steel and cast bronze sculpture, now newly restored, was rededicated to Steve Shostrom, an advocate for Peoria and the riverfront, by his wife, Joy Kessler. Speakers at the event included Mayor Ali, Emily Cahill, Executive Director of Peoria Park District, and Kessler.
“Flight of the Cakewalkers” was created by internationally recognized artist Preston Jackson in 2001 and first exhibited at Navy Pier in Chicago. Following that, it was installed on the riverfront. From his studio, "Flight of the Cakewalkers represents the victories and struggles of all people throughout our history who have felt at one time they were excluded from the mainstream. Many symbols adorn this work. There is the representation of strong womanhood in the form of a single face, which represents people such as Ida B. Wells and Mary Church Terrell. There is the sign of the two-headed poisonous snake, moving both North and South. There is the symbol of the family as the couple jumps over the wedding broom. And most of all, there is the large plantation house that represents the exploitation of the labor of those who had no control over their lives.” Jackson’s work has been exhibited throughout the United States, and he was named the Laureate of the Lincoln Academy of Illinois, receiving the Order of Lincoln Medallion in 1998. His sculpture, “Bronzeville to Harlem: An American Story,” is on permanent display at the Peoria Riverfront Museum.
Peoria resident Joy Kessler sponsored the restoration of the piece in honor of the work of her husband, Steve Shostrom. Shostrom is well known in Peoria for his work with the running community and as a founding member of both the Peoria Area Sports Commission and Moonlight Basketball League. A champion of developing Peoria’s riverfront since the early 1980s, he is equally respected for his work with the Peoria Park District, as a member of the Peoria Park District Recreation Committee.
In reflecting on the rededication, Kessler stated, “Although my husband, Steve Shostrom, is best known for being the co-founder of the Illinois Valley Striders and the Steamboat Classic, he has always had a great love for the Peoria riverfront. He was very involved in the creation of the first Riverfront Sculpture Walk along the Illinois River, and he has always strongly encouraged the riverfront to be used for recreation and the arts.” She continued, “So it is fitting that this sculpture be rededicated in his name, in the hopes that the riverfront will continue to develop and become the crowning jewel of downtown Peoria.”