Arts Alley is unique, pedestrian area nestled between 1st and 2nd Avenues, mid-block between 17th and 18th Streets. The sculpture “Collapsing Wormhole” by Tommy Reife was installed there in 2014. This year the space was remodeled by an adjacent property owner and several City of Rock Island departments. 

The remodel project began with the building owners of Quad City Arts and Studio 483 Architects cleaning and restoring the brick wall on the west side of the alley. Additional pieces of dead vines were cleaned from the remaining section of wall - funded in part by the City’s Façade Program. The City of Rock Island’s Community and Economic Development Department purchased new decorative light fixtures for the alley, and the Rock Island Public Works Department installed them. Rock Island Parks and Recreation cleaned the large planters and placed new ornamental plants in them. The final piece to this project was the hanging of three murals on the southwest side of the alley. This was facilitated by Public Works. The murals were created by Quad City Arts 2015 Metro Arts Youth Apprentice Program and largely sponsored by the City of Rock Island. 

The "Unveiling" is scheduled for October 12th at 3:30 pm. Rock Island Mayor Mike Thoms will do the honors.