Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05
February 21, 2008 issue
Boone Public Art Program Looks For Artists To Complete Gateway Project
Story by Sam Calhoun
Location. Location. Location.
For real estate agents, it’s the three rules to sell by. For local artists who want more people to see their work and capabilities, it’s a sure fire way to get their name out to a wider audience.
And for local artists some prime real estate is up for grabs. The Boone Public Art Program—a component of the Downtown Boone Development Association—is looking for artists to design enhancements to three benches that will be placed in the Downtown Boone Gateway, a small street garden that will welcome visitors entering downtown Boone from the west via Highway 421. The gateway will be completed by June and will be located on the west corner of the intersection of Highway 421 and Poplar Grove Connector.
The Boone Public Art Committee will provide the benches, purchased from Blue Mountain Metalworks in Banner Elk, to three artists of the committee’s choosing. The benches are 5 feet long and have a standard 17 inch seat height.
The committee will choose the artists based on an application, a resume, a portfolio of four 5 by 5-inch photos of past work and a short written statement on why they want to do this project. Up to six finalists will be chosen to submit an artistic design for the benches. From the designs, the committee will choose the three winners.
“The goal for the artwork is to incorporate elements of Boone’s heritage and culture into the benches that will be located at the gateway site in Boone,” said Mary Baker, director of the Boone Public Art Program and assistant director of the Downtown Boone Development Association. “But of course, the finished benches must still be functional, suitable for Boone’s weather conditions and safe for public use.”
Anyone can submit an application to be considered for the project. Pick up an application by stopping by the Downtown Boone Development Association office located at 736 West King Street, by calling 828-262-4532 or by faxing 828-265-9403.
Applications are due to the Downtown Boone Development Association by March 10. The committee will choose the finalists by March 19 and each finalist will receive $100. The committee will announce the three winners by April 11. Each winning artist will receive a $1,200 honorarium as an award, and will have from April 11 to May 16 to complete his/her design.
If an artist is chosen to do more than one of the benches, he/she will receive a $1,200 honorarium for every bench he/she completes.
For more information about the application or to ask questions about the project, call Baker at 828-262-4532.
Timeline for Downtown Boone Gateway Bench Embellishment
Application Submission Deadline: Monday, March 10
Finalists Chosen: Wednesday, March 19
Final Selection Announcement: Friday, Apri1 11
Deadline for Artists: Friday, May 16
Art Installation: June