DBDA Public Art Program Debuts New Installation by Boone Town Hall

Brouwer’s ‘Now What?’ On Display Until Summer 2010

Story by Sam Calhoun

The Downtown Boone Development Association Public Art Program recently installed a new sculpture by Charlie Brouwer called ‘Now What?’ in a street garden by Boone Town Hall. According to Brouwer, the work captures the moment when his eldest daughter first met a dog she had just adopted. Photo by Sam Calhoun

For the past three years and counting, the Downtown Boone Development Association (DBDA), though its Public Art Program and Public Art Committee, has made a concerted effort to beautify downtown Boone and make it more visitor friendly by annually rotating sculptures from award-winning artists in a street garden by Boone Town Hall.

On July 25, the DBDA installed a new sculpture in the street garden by Charlie Brouwer called ‘Now What?’ The piece will remain on display until August 2010, when the Public Art Committee will choose a new sculpture to take its place.

Like many of Brouwer’s works, ‘Now What?’ is made with locust wood and screws. The sculpture depicts a girl and a dog staring inquisitively at each other.

“Part of the reason the Public Art Committee selected this piece is because in the past we have selected more abstract pieces, and, considering the economic conditions and the year we have ahead, the committee chose a more traditional piece that they think has a hometown feel,” explained Mary Ella Baker, assistant director of the DBDA. “The committee felt the piece is very personable and something that people can relate to very easily.”

Each year, the Public Art Committee debates for months over which artist to choose for the annual installation. Once chosen, the DBDA provides an honorarium for the artist and insures the sculpture for one year. Each summer, the process begins again and a new sculpture is chosen for display.

In 2007, the Public Art Committee chose Kevin Eichner’s ‘Meus Amor’ and ‘Amplexari’ for display at Town Hall, and in 2008, Brian Glaze’s ‘Learn to Fly’ inhabited the street garden.

According to the artist, ‘Now What?’ captures the moment when his eldest daughter first met a dog she had just adopted. Brouwer did his best to capture the snapshot in time when both the girl and the dog met their life-long companions.

Brouwer, who is from Willis, Va., currently has another locust wood sculpture, ‘Pilgrim,’ on display at ASU’s Duck Pond. In spring 1991, Brouwer won the ASU Rosen Outdoor Sculpture Competition and Exhibition. In addition to sculpture, Brouwer also paints and works with mixed media.

Mast General Store, Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff and Watauga Insurance Agency sponsor the DBDA Public Art Program. For more information and/or to donate, contact Baker at the DBDA by calling 828-262-4532 or email maryellabaker@gmail.com.