Following in the footsteps of many cities across the country, Western Illinois University has started its own public art project featuring the school mascot.
"Rocky on Parade" is a 3-year, public art project that features 18 life-sized fiberglass bulldogs, decorated by artists in Macomb and the Quad Cities.
Last week, the Quad Cities campus unveiled its first Rocky statue, and Marketing Director Tammy Seitz says more statues will appear as donors buy and decorate them.
The statue was decorated by Ian Shelley, an assistant professor at WIU-QC. Seitz says the new Rocky statue boosts school spirit and students have already embraced it.
Rocky statues come in different sizes and range from $1,500 for smaller dogs, up to $3000 for larger ones. The proceeds will go toward scholarships for art students at the university. To sponsor a statue, visit www.wiu.edu/rockyonparade.