Here’s the news on the next step in the public input process for the public art project at 51 Biltmore. From the Parks and Recreation Department:
CITY OF ASHEVILLE SEEKS PUBLIC INPUT ON PUBLIC ART
51 Biltmore Public Art Project
Asheville, NC – The City of Asheville is developing Asheville’s next public art in the 51 Biltmore Public Art Project on the exterior of the public parking garage next to the Aloft Hotel at 51 Biltmore Avenue in downtown Asheville.
The next public comment period for the 51 Biltmore Public Art Project begins on April 4 with the First Friday Gallery Walk in downtown Asheville. The artists’ proposals will be on display at the Blue Spiral 1, 38 Biltmore Avenue, 5:00 to 8:00 pm during the Gallery Walk, and continue through April 6 during regular business hours. April 7 – 11 the proposals will be on display at the Aloft Hotel in the second floor lobby, 51 Biltmore Avenue, during regular operating hours. The public is invited to review and make comment on the proposals, with the option to select their preferred design. Comment can also be made on line at the City of Asheville website at www.ashevillenc.gov/parks during April 4-11.
“More than 50 people showed up at the first public forum in January and we received great input to support the artists’ concepts,” said Brenda Mills, Economic Development Specialist. “We want to continue the momentum with this week-long opportunity to help choose Asheville’s next piece of public art.”
Public input on the artists’ proposals will constitute 25% of the selection process. In addition to public comment, the Selection Panel will consider artistic merit, originality, appropriateness for the site; and practical factors such as maintenance, feasibility and budget.
The City issued a call for artists in September 2013. The finalists were chosen by a Selection Panel from an application pool of over 150 artists. The Public Art and Cultural Commission hosted a forum in January 2014 in which the public could meet the artists and provide comment to inspire them in their design proposals. Once the second round of public comment is complete, the Selection Panel will choose the final artwork. The public art installation is expected to be complete in fall 2014.
For more background on the selection process, and to see the artists’ proposals, go to the 51 Biltmore Public Art Project Page at www.ashevillenc.gov/parks. For more information contact Basil Punsalan at 828-259-5552 or bpunsalan@ashevillenc.gov.
The City of Asheville Public Art Program oversees Asheville’s public art collection. The Public Art and Cultural Commission is responsible for approving the site and content of public art, and the development of an inclusive selection process that involves community feedback. Members also act as public art ambassadors by advancing the City of Asheville as an “arts destination” in cultural and economic development efforts.
And here’s the background on what has already happened:
The City of Asheville Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Department announces the next step for a public art project for 51 Biltmore. Click here to see more on this project, including examples of the finalists’ work.
CITY OF ASHEVILLE SEEKS PUBLIC INPUT ON PUBLIC ART: 51 Biltmore Public Art Project
Asheville, NC – The City of Asheville announces the top artist finalists for the 51 Biltmore Public Art Project to be installed on the exterior wall of the pubic parking garage next to the Aloft Hotel at 51 Biltmore Avenue in downtown Asheville. The Public Art and Cultural Commission (PACC) will host a public forum with the artists on Friday, January 24, 5:30 to 7:30 pm at the Trinity Episcopal Church located at 60 Church Street. Parking is located on the south side of the church and across the street. Enter the church at the Church Street entrance to Tuton Hall.
The following are the top artist finalists:
Artist team Alex Irvine (Santa Fe, NM) and Ian Wilkinson (Asheville, NC)
Marc Archambault (Asheville, NC)
Mike Allison (Joelton, TN)
At the public forum, the artists will be in attendance and seeking ideas, images and stories to inspire their design proposals for the 51 Biltmore Public Art Project. To learn more about each artist and to make comment, go to the City of Asheville’s website at www.ashevillenc.gov and select City Projects to see project under Central Business District. The final design proposals are expected to be revealed in April, followed by a second round of public feedback to assist the Selection Panel in choosing the final design for the public art project.
The City of Asheville recently conducted a call for artists to create a permanent public art feature for the 51 Biltmore Public Art Project. After reviewing over 150 artist applications, the Selection Panel selected the top artist finalists.
The 51 Biltmore Public Art Project Selection Panel:
David McCartney, Aloft Hotel
Sharon Trammel, Public Art and Cultural Commission
Jenny Bowen, Asheville Artist and Photographer
Elizabeth Barr, Asheville Artist Resource Center
Susie Millions, Asheville Visual Artist
Sarah Larson, 51 Biltmore Neighborhood Resident and Art Advocate
The City of Asheville Public Art Program oversees Asheville’s public art collection. The Public Art and Cultural Commission is responsible for approving the site and content of public art, and the development of an inclusive selection process that involves community feedback. Members also act as public art ambassadors by advancing the City of Asheville as an “arts destination” in cultural and economic development efforts.
The city’s public art collection includes the popular Urban Trail, a historic walking tour of downtown Asheville; along with other prominent works in the downtown area including but not limited to the Pack Fountain, Energy Loop, Deco Gecko and the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial. The 51 Biltmore Public Art Project is part of the City’s Percent for Art Program.
For information about the 51 Biltmore Public Art Project, contact Basil Punsalan at 828-259-5552 or bpunsalan@ashevillenc.gov.