Public Art Returns
[ Excerpt from SBN-P article of June 14, 2006 by Joshua Molina. ]
... Santa Barbara will take another plunge into the world of public art in September.
The city is taking a more conservative approach than it did in 2002...
The City Council on Tuesday approved the artists whose work will be on display through November. They are Liz Amidon, Ken Bortolazzo, Donald Davis, Jeff Elings, Matthew Furmanski, Colin Gray, Ed Inks and Rafael Perea de la Cabada. All are from the tricounties.
The "State of the Art" project is a collaboration between the city and the county.
"I am really thrilled it is back," said Mayor Marty Blum. "Art makes you think outside the box. It challenges you."
The city plans to spend up to $36,000 for the installation and removal of the pieces, which will be placed between the 600 and 1200 blocks of State Street. The council must still formally approve the contract later this summer.
A public art project earlier this year, featuring sculptures of steelhead trout, an endangered species, was led by the Community Environmental Council.
City and county officials believe that displaying art in public places engages the community and exposes the art to people who might not otherwise see it. The program also develops Santa Barbara's reputation as a first-class arts destination, they said.
"The goal is to encourage and promote public art," said Ginny Brush, executive director of the county's Arts Commission.
The artists and their works were chosen by Rita Ferri, visual arts coordinator. Some of the pieces were commissioned for the project.
"I am very excited to see this move forward and bring art back to State Street," said Councilwoman Helene Schneider.
Addressing those who may be uncomfortable with public art, Councilman Brian Barnwell said, "It makes you stop and think about other things."
Art is supposed to challenge people, said Councilman Das Williams, and it can often serve as an education for people who are not normally interested in the arts.
"The whole point is to expand your thinking," he said.
e-mail: jmolina@newspress.com
Santa Barbara News-Press
... Santa Barbara will take another plunge into the world of public art in September.
The city is taking a more conservative approach than it did in 2002...
The City Council on Tuesday approved the artists whose work will be on display through November. They are Liz Amidon, Ken Bortolazzo, Donald Davis, Jeff Elings, Matthew Furmanski, Colin Gray, Ed Inks and Rafael Perea de la Cabada. All are from the tricounties.
The "State of the Art" project is a collaboration between the city and the county.
"I am really thrilled it is back," said Mayor Marty Blum. "Art makes you think outside the box. It challenges you."
The city plans to spend up to $36,000 for the installation and removal of the pieces, which will be placed between the 600 and 1200 blocks of State Street. The council must still formally approve the contract later this summer.
A public art project earlier this year, featuring sculptures of steelhead trout, an endangered species, was led by the Community Environmental Council.
City and county officials believe that displaying art in public places engages the community and exposes the art to people who might not otherwise see it. The program also develops Santa Barbara's reputation as a first-class arts destination, they said.
"The goal is to encourage and promote public art," said Ginny Brush, executive director of the county's Arts Commission.
The artists and their works were chosen by Rita Ferri, visual arts coordinator. Some of the pieces were commissioned for the project.
"I am very excited to see this move forward and bring art back to State Street," said Councilwoman Helene Schneider.
Addressing those who may be uncomfortable with public art, Councilman Brian Barnwell said, "It makes you stop and think about other things."
Art is supposed to challenge people, said Councilman Das Williams, and it can often serve as an education for people who are not normally interested in the arts.
"The whole point is to expand your thinking," he said.
e-mail: jmolina@newspress.com
Santa Barbara News-Press
Posted by Malcolm on
6/15/2006
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