Scott Browne’s “Conversations.”
By MELISSA CROCKETT MESKE
Managing Editor, Illinois Business Journal
[email protected]
On the morning of June 3, 2025, 12 art sculptures were officially dedicated at Orchard Town Center, a retail shopping center developed by The Staenberg Group and located in Glen Carbon, Ill. The dedication ceremony was held in the park area on-site with local officials and dignitaries on hand to share remarks and help celebrate this integration of art, community and commerce.
Village of Glen Carbon Mayor Bob Marcus and Michael Staenberg of The Staenberg Group spoke during the official Orchard Town Center artwork dedication event.
The sculptures were created by artists Mark Wren, Scott Browne and Zack Smithey.
Wren’s art on-site includes six pieces: “Stature,” “Minion,” “The Vase,” “Swiss,” “Hover” and “Steampunk.” His art is about discovery; Wren’s mission is to create something of purpose “by blending the weld of steel with a distinct sculptural vision.” His sculptures are as random as the scrap treasures or even new metals he finds. Wren is from Denver, Colo.
Wren notes, “My vision evolves with each new multidimensional piece. Many of my pieces have similarities, but they also have curves and lines unique to the piece itself. Over time, the patina of each sculpture offers visual layers of life and a richness of color. I rely on decay and weathering to tell this story. Eventually, the twists and turns of newly designed or tossed pieces of metal become a unique sculpture. The ultimate pleasure of this sculptural discovery is when a piece of art finds its new home.”
Browne’s installed piece is entitled “Conversations.” He is a self-trained American-based artist and sculptor who resides in Florida and creates his work for fun.
Smithey is an interdisciplinary artist, noting that he “continues to evolve, explore new concepts, designs and creative processes.” He has been working as a professional artist for the last 20 years and taught high school art for seven years. In addition to showing in galleries, he paints murals, works with designers, agencies and clients to source art from his inventory or create custom commissions. Smithey has hundreds of pieces in his current inventory and over 3,000 original pieces in public, private and corporate collections. He resides in St. Charles, Mo.
At Orchard Town Center, Smithey’s pieces are “Pink Flower,” “Red Flower” and “Blue Flower.”
In addition to art, Smithey designed, consulted and oversaw the construction for the first two shipping container homes in the St. Charles (2016) and Old North (STL, 2019) neighborhoods.
There are also two silver pedestal pieces featured on both sides of the flowers that were completed by an unknown artist, a spokesperson noted.
Photos courtesy of The Village of Glen Carbon/The Staenberg Group.
Zack Smithey’s “Pink Flower,” “Red Flower” and “Blue Flower.”
Mark Wren’s “Stature”
Mark Wren’s “Minion”
Mark Wren’s “The Vase”
Mark Wren’s “Swiss”
Mark Wren’s “Hover”
Mark Wren’s “Steampunk”
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