ST. CHARLES – The St. Charles City Council on July 17 accepted a large gift – the new "Wind Emotions" sculpture on the riverbank.

The River Corridor Foundation gave the city the sculpture, located on the west side of the Fox River just north of Hotel Baker. Installed in March, it features three poles, the tallest being 29 feet. On top of the poles are wind-driven, kinetic pieces that move in a synchronized manner, illuminated at night by lighting underneath.

Mayor Ray Rogina thanked foundation President John Rabchuk on behalf of the city.

“It's beautiful – really a nice gift,” Rogina said.

Created by Whitaker Studios of Utah, the $46,000 sculpture was funded through a significant donation to the foundation from Cris and Tom S. Anderson of St. Charles, owners of Colonial Cafe.

“The Anderson family deserves kudos,” Rogina said.

Other contributors to the foundation for the sculpture were the St. Charles Park District, the Community Foundation of the Fox River Valley and the Grand Victoria Riverboat Fund.

This is not the first time the foundation has donated riverfront art to St. Charles. Several years ago the group gave the city a six-foot bronze statue called “If I Could But Fly.” The statue is located on the west side of the river between Prairie and Indiana streets.

Rabchuk said donating the art is “just another way we can add to the community.”

The foundation recently completed enhancements to the Bob Leonard Walkway on the west bank, south of Main Street, installing bench seating, planters, and landscaping.