Exhibit Information:

"Ready to Rock" – Celebrating Downtown Joliet's Vibrance

The collaborative effort of the Joliet City Center Partnership, the Joliet Region Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and the City of Joliet brings you the "Ready to Rock" exhibit. This artistic endeavor aims to spotlight the lively heart of Joliet's downtown, inviting visitors to explore its unique charm and fostering a sense of community pride. At its core, this exhibit features twelve 6-foot fiberglass guitars, each transformed into a work of art by accomplished local and regional artists, including Karen Fike.

Karen Fike's Guitar: "Rocking Love and Hope in Joliet"

One of the standout guitars in the "Ready to Rock" exhibit is artist Karen Fike's creation, aptly titled "Rocking Love and Hope in Joliet." This guitar proudly bears sponsorship from the Joliet Slammers Baseball Team and is prominently displayed in front of the Joliet Historical Museum, situated at 204 N Ottawa St., Joliet, IL 60432.

Art with a Heartfelt Tale: "Waffle Was Here"

Karen's guitar is a touching tribute to a beloved family member, her cherished Pug, Waffle. Waffle was a source of pure joy, providing unwavering support, infectious laughter, comforting snuggles, and the unforgettable "Waffle Facials"—those endearing Pug sneezes. Waffle always wore a Mona Lisa smile that brightened every day.

Shortly before Karen received the guitar for her artistic endeavor, she learned about Waffle's health condition, a heartbreaking tumor diagnosis. As she embarked on the creative journey of painting the guitar, she had her loyal companion, Waffle, by her side. Waffle's unyielding smile remained a source of inspiration and comfort.

The night before they had to say their final goodbyes, Karen and her husband, Todd, gently pressed Waffle's paw prints in vibrant magenta paint and placed them lovingly around the base of the guitar. One lone paw print adorns the left side of the guitar, forever tagged with the words "Waffle Was Here." Karen transformed these prints into delicate flowers, creating a poignant visual tribute to her "Little Diva." Waffle lived just three weeks short of 18 years, ensuring she would have a lasting piece of public artwork as her legacy.