City Plans Second Temporary Public Art Exhibit

The City of Roanoke and the Roanoke Arts Commission announce that a second temporary public art installation is set to open this fall. Seven pieces will be displayed around the city for an 18-month period, in a continuation of the “AIR: Art in Roanoke” program. This second exhibit replaces the first AIR installation, which was on display from October 2008 to April 2010.

According to Arts Commission Chair Doug Jackson, “AIR’ furthers the goal of bringing visibility to the City of Roanoke’s Public Art Program and raising appreciation of public art in the community.”

There are two new locations for AIR this year, which were added to bring attention to the new Vic Thomas Park, currently in the final stages of development along a new portion of the Roanoke River Greenway, and to SunTrust Plaza, which is being redeveloped behind the newly renovated Market Garage. A selection panel of citizens and city representatives reviewed 156 entries from 66 artists to narrow the show down to the following works:

• Vic Thomas Park – “Decommission Lamp Pole Project” by All Creations, Matt Rink of Redding, Conn., and Bland Hoke of Wilson, Wyo.

• Fire Station #7 – “Big Dog,” by Ann Glover of Roanoke

• South Roanoke Village – “Jelly Bean,” by John Clement of Brooklyn, N.Y.

• Williamson Road Library – “Star Burst,”  by Tom Holmes of Greeley, Penn.

• Campbell Avenue andd Third Street – “Connect,” by Erika Strecker of Lexington, Ky.

• SunTrust Plaza – “Glory Pipes,” by Stephen Fairfield of St. David, Ariz.

• Lick Run Greenway traillhead near Valley View Mall – “Happy Wanderers,” by Charlie Brouwer of Willis, Va. (contract extended from the first AIR installation, since this piece was recently moved).

According to City of Roanoke Arts and Culture Coordinator Susan Jennings, installation of the works will be staggered over the summer, with all pieces installed by September. Strategies for encouraging community involvement will again be utilized, including a survey on the AIR Web site (artinroanoke.org) that will allow citizens to comment on the works. A brochure with a map will be available on the Web and at various locations around the city.

The public art program is funded by a Percent for Art Ordinance, established by the City of Roanoke as a way to fund public art in city neighborhoods and public places to reflect its “vibrancy and heritage.” The fund is comprised of one percent of the budgets of certain projects in the city’s capital improvement program. Public art policies and recommendations are guided by the 15 volunteer members of the Roanoke Arts Commission, with final approval from City Council.

More information is available at www.roanokeva.gov/publicart.

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