Artwork Title: DEAR HERO…
Medium: Steel & Aluminum 
Dimensions: 20’ x 14’ X 4’
Location: Quincy, IL
Year Completed: 2025

Quincy Veterans Home | Art-in-Architecture | Capital Development Board

DEAR HERO, a monumental installation by Maxwell Emcays, features five 18-foot aluminum notebook pages inscribed with abstract handwriting and evocative words like SERVICE and SACRIFICE. A silhouette of a service member is cut through the pages, symbolizing an individual emerging from the collective memory of correspondence. The design was deeply rooted in community engagement, as Emcays conducted site visits and meetings with residents of the Quincy Veterans Home to ensure the work reflected their lived experiences. To bridge the gap between concept and reality, he utilized 3D modeling and physical maquettes, collaborating with structural engineers to certify the design against environmental loads.

Fabrication and Execution

Emcays fabricated the sculpture in his 3,000-square-foot shop using CNC plasma cutting for precision and a mix of 5052 and 3003 aluminum for structural integrity. Given the massive 14′ x 18′ scale of the pages, he employed pulleys and specialized lifts to manage the assembly around internal aluminum armatures. Installation required meticulous coordination with site contractors and electricians to align structural I-beams with the concrete plinth. After personally obtaining certification to transport the oversized load to the site, Emcays oversaw the final high-durability coating and assembly, resulting in a successful landmark celebrated by the veteran community and local media.