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Design a Fence for the Jones House

Public Art Proposals Deadline September 28

The Jones House Community Center is issuing a Request for Public Art Proposals for an artistic fence that will be incorporated as a part of the Jones House landscaping design and serve as both a functional and beautiful barrier surrounding the two landmark and very old sugar maples that mark the edge of the front lawn. The expected completion date for the project is May 30, 2008.

In cooperation with and support of the newly developed Downtown Boone Public Art Master Plan, the Jones House Advisory Board is seeking a fence that reflects the artistic culture of Boone, rather than simply purchasing mass-produced fencing. The fence will also help launch the implementation of the Public Art Program by incorporating an artistic design into a functional item in the downtown area.

The winning artist will receive $10,000 to include all artist/designer fees, travel, research, design, materials, fabrication, transportation and installation/construction. However, the artwork budget may be supplemented through in-kind services as a result of collaboration with the Town of Boone.

Designs in a variety of media will be considered, such as wood, metal and any material that will remain relatively durable under extremes of weather and citizen interaction. Designs complementing or incorporating commercially produced fencing sections—for example, commercially produced sections interspersed with custom-designed sections—are acceptable, but the cost of the commercial fencing must be included in the overall budget proposed for the project.

This request for proposals is open to all artists, age 18 and over, regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender or handicapped status. Artist teams are eligible to apply, including teams of artists from multiple disciplines. While all artists are eligible to apply, special consideration will be given to artists from the western North Carolina region and, in particular, artists residing in Watauga County or an adjoining county.

The fencing will delineate the grassed area of the lawn that the public uses from the mulched area where the root systems of the two large sugar maple trees are located. The fence is intended to eliminate foot traffic in this area, but must not visually barricade the yard from the street below.

The Town of Boone owns the Jones House Community Center, and it is one of the most prominent properties in the community. Because of its location and the limited green space in the downtown area, the Jones House lawn is the closest thing Boone has to a town square, and it is therefore in near-constant use by the community, as well as being the site of the Arts Council’s popular Summer Concerts on the Lawn series.

In recent years, the town has invested in upgrading the Jones House landscaping to improve its appearance and to protect the root systems of the two trees from foot traffic. Most plants that might cushion and protect the roots cannot grow successfully under the trees. Consequently, the entire root area needs to be fenced off.

The Jones House board believes the project will reinforce the fact that public art contributes to the attraction and retention of the creative class, serves as an outdoor art gallery for citizens of all backgrounds to enjoy and spurs economic development and downtown revitalization.

Application materials and more detailed information are available at www.joneshousecommunitycenter.org. Interested artists can also contact Cherry Johnson, executive director of the Watauga Arts Council, at 828-262-4576.

Another Artistic Opportunity

Historic Book Cover Design Competition Deadline Is September 30

The Watauga Historical Society, in partnership with the Watauga Arts Council, has issued a call for artists to submit cover designs for a book featuring the architectural history of Watauga County.

The book consists of a wide selection of photographs of Watauga County structures complemented by narratives written by J. Daniel Pezzoni, noted architectural historian and preservation consultant, writer and editor of many similar publications. The book is slated for publication in spring 2009, and the deadline for cover submissions is Monday, September 30, 2007. An application must accompany each submission, and the forms are available at www.watauga-arts.org.

This opportunity is open to all artists. Any two-dimensional medium will be accepted for consideration, including paintings, drawings, sketches and photographs. Submitted designs should represent the architecture of Watauga County.

Submissions must be presented in a hangable format because all the submissions will be displayed in an exhibition at Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff in November 2007.

A review panel will evaluate the submissions and select the final design. The winning design becomes the property of Watauga Historical Society, may be used for all promotional purposes and will be exhibited in several area venues both prior to and after publication of the book. However, the Watauga Historical Society reserves the right to use, or not use, the winning image on the book’s cover. All the entries may be included in the book.

Cash prizes will be awarded to the first, second and third place winners.

• First place: $300

• Second place: $200

• Third place: $100

An honorable mention award will also be presented, and all of the winners will receive a copy of the book.

Project sponsors are the Appalachian Cultural Museum, Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff, Ginn Corporation, Watauga Arts Council, Watauga County Tourism Development Authority and Watauga Historical Society.

For more info, call the Watauga Arts Council at 828-264-1789.