Arts & Culture

"Keepin' Concrete Groovy Since 1963"

WVIK, Quad Cities NPR | By Herb Trix

Published February 17, 2023 at 1:30 PM CST

angels in the Isabel Bloom showroom in Davenport

A year-long anniversary celebration has started at a Davenport company known for its concrete sculptures. Isabel Bloom was founded 60 years ago, and will hold several events in the coming year.

co-owners Cathy Nevins and Donna Young (missing is their partner Bill Barrett)

Local artist Isabel Bloom founded the company in 1963 in a rented home in the Village of East Davenport. Co-owners Donna Young, Cathy Nevins, and Bill Barrett bought it in 2011.

Young calls the company a "Quad Cities icon."

"I think the best thing about working here at Isabel Bloom is we get to be a part of everybody's lives - we get to be a part of their children being born and their children getting married. And we get to be there through happy times and sad

Isabel Bloom employees celebrating with the company motto

times because Isabel Blooms are just a gift that has a lot of meaning."

A limited edition sculpture, the "Anniversary Owl," will only be available this year. Young says owls were one of Isabel Bloom's favorite subjects to sculpt.

The company, including a showroom and workshop, are now located on Federal Street in Davenport. A showroom and retail store is also located in West Des Moines.