Nearly a year after it was to be revealed, Elgin officials say a folk art painting of the city from which a publicly-sold puzzle is to be made — and for which the city is paying $116,000 — will finally be ready to view in May or June.

The Elgin City Council commissioned Eric Dowdle in April 2024 to create the artwork and complete other work necessary for the puzzle as part of his “Land That I Love” project, which he will be taking on tour this year to coincide with the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

According to Elgin City Council meeting documents, Dowdle was to present his framed, acrylic painting as part of Elgin’s 2025 Fourth of July celebration.

Dowdle visited Elgin several times as he refined his images, immersing himself in the city without Elgin staff’s initial knowledge so that his work would not be influenced by them, according to Amanda Harris, Elgin’s director of cultural arts and special events.

That work, however, took longer than planned, Elgin Communications Manager Josie Beecher-Crotty said in an email.

“These efforts, combined with the goal of providing an appropriately sized platform to unveil the project, guided the decision to postpone the (July 2025) unveiling ceremony,” Beecher-Crotty said. “The final image depicting Elgin has been completed, following an extended design phase enabling the artist and staff to fully refine and deliver the best possible product.”

The council signed off on the project as proposed by Harris, who was contacted by Dowdle’s Utah-based company to ask if the city would like to be part of his project. Dowdle is creating similar images of towns all over the country, and staff members who met with Dowdle’s representatives via Zoom were impressed by Dowdle’s approach to art and community, Harris said at the time.

Dowdle Studios, according to the company’s website, “has sold more than 10 million puzzles through Costco, Walmart, grocery chains and small businesses worldwide. (Dowdle’s) artwork and puzzles have become collectible favorites.”

The artist could not be reached for comment and there was no response to email messages sent to his company by The Courier-News.

Elgin’s deal with Dowdle calls for the production of eight 32-inch-by-40-inch limited edition canvas prints; 2,000 special edition, 500-piece puzzles; and an 8-foot-by-10-foot interactive, legacy wall puzzle, according to city documents.

Beecher-Crotty said via email that the dates and details of the artwork’s unveiling are being finalized but that it should take place in early May or late June. Dowdle is to attend the event, where the interactive puzzle wall will be revealed and is to remain on display through the city’s Fourth of July events, she said.

Dowdle Studios has been paid $88,000 for the work done to date, Beecher-Crotty said.

City staff is working with the Dowdle’s team to finalize the puzzle order and initiate sales planning, she said. Puzzles will be sold through community partners, which will serve as in-kind sponsors. Those partners are still being identified, Beecher-Crotty said.

Mike Danahey is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2026/01/30/elgin-puzzle-artwork-delayed-unveiled-dowdle/