By Hola Iowa
A new collaboration between the River Bandits and the Figge Art Museum brings a Hank Aaron portrait to Davenport, linking sports, history and local culture.
A new Hank Aaron portrait in Davenport, Iowa will be unveiled this week as part of a partnership between the Quad Cities River Bandits and the Figge Art Museum. The artwork, created by contemporary artist Preston Sampson, will be presented publicly on March 26 at Modern Woodmen Park before moving to the museum for display.
The painting is a gift from River Bandits owner Dave Heller and his wife, June Heller, and will become part of the Figge’s collection.
Presentation scheduled ahead of the 2026 season opener
The unveiling is set for 10 a.m. on March 26 at Modern Woodmen Park in downtown Davenport. The event comes less than two weeks before the River Bandits begin their 2026 home season.
Speakers at the presentation will include Heller, artist Preston Sampson and Figge Art Museum Executive Director and CEO Melissa Mohr.
The timing places the event at the intersection of the region’s baseball calendar and its cultural programming.
Two Davenport institutions working side by side
Modern Woodmen Park and the Figge Art Museum sit within walking distance along the Mississippi River. Both have long been part of downtown Davenport’s identity.
This collaboration brings the two spaces together in a shared project that connects sports and visual arts in a public setting. Organizers describe the effort as a way to strengthen cultural life across the Quad Cities.
A portrait centered on Hank Aaron’s legacy
The painting focuses on Hank Aaron, one of the most influential figures in baseball history. His career extended beyond athletic achievement, shaping conversations about race, leadership and representation in American sports.
Aaron’s early professional experience included time in the Midwest with the Eau Claire Bears. That period is often cited as part of his development as both a player and a public figure.
The portrait places his story within a broader historical and cultural context.
Preston Sampson’s approach to storytelling through art
Preston Sampson’s work is known for its use of color, movement and layered imagery. His paintings draw from themes of memory, identity and the African American experience.
Working with mixed media, Sampson combines figurative forms with expressive techniques that emphasize motion and emotion. His influences include artists associated with social realism and narrative traditions.
“My intention as an artist is to create an immediate and visceral connection with the viewer,” Sampson said. “I make it a priority to represent the positive aspects of our history as African Americans.”
What happens after the unveiling
Following the presentation, the painting will be installed in the Figge Art Museum’s Grand Lobby, where visitors will be able to view it upon entering.
The work is also scheduled to be part of a summer exhibition in the museum’s Learn to Look Gallery. The exhibition will explore the role of sports in American visual culture.
Free admission tied to opening games
As part of the partnership, the Figge Art Museum will offer free admission through April 12 to visitors who present a ticket or receipt from a River Bandits game during the opening series.
The initiative connects attendance at the ballpark with access to the museum, linking two spaces that serve different parts of the community.
A broader cultural connection in the Quad Cities
The Hank Aaron portrait Davenport Iowa project brings together sports, art and local institutions in a single public event. It also reflects how partnerships between organizations can shape how communities experience culture.
The March 26 presentation marks the first step, with the artwork continuing its role inside the museum and in future programming.
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