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Roanoke, VA — The City of Roanoke and
the Roanoke Arts Commission announce that the city’s
first temporary public art installation, titled “AIR:
Art in Roanoke,” will open in October. Eight pieces
will be displayed around the city for an 18-month period.
According to Arts Commission Chair Doug Jackson,
“‘AIR’ will further the goals of bringing
visibility to the City of Roanoke’s Public Art Program
and raising appreciation of public art in the community.”
A selection panel of citizens and city representatives
reviewed 117 entries from 56 artists to narrow the show down
to eight pieces. Sites and works in “AIR” will
include:
• Jackson Library – “Rainbow
Children,” by Polly Branch of Roanoke
• South Roanoke Village – “Starlight,”
by Thea Lanzisero Monier-Williams
of Huntington, N.Y.
• Corner of Campbell Avenue and Third
Street – “Urban Trees,” by Gary Gresko of
Oriental, N.C.
• Wachovia Plaza –“Comma,”
by Lee Badger of Hedgesville, W.Va.
• Brown Robinson Park/Lick Run Greenway
– “Happy Wanderers,” by Charlie Brouwer
of Willis, Va.
• Wells Avenue Plaza – “Recoil,”
by Mark Harris of Santa Fe, N.M.
• Fire Station Number 7 on Memorial
Avenue – “Second Chances,” by Eldon Slick
of Tucson, Ariz.
• Williamson Road Library – “Astroterra,”
by Nicole Beck of Chicago, Ill.
According to City of Roanoke Public Art Coordinator Susan
Jennings, installation of the works will be staggered over
a three-week period, with all pieces installed by mid-October.
Several events will be planned so the public
can meet the artists. Jennings states: “We are currently
working with Downtown Roanoke Inc. to feature an event with
the two artists installing works in the downtown area as part
of the annual Harvest Festival on Oct. 4. Other events will
be planned in the neighborhoods where the pieces will be on
display.”
Other methods of community involvement are being planned.
A survey tool on the public art Web site will allow citizens
to comment on the works. Downloadable podcasts that provide
a self-guided tour and feature comments from the artists about
their works are also being considered.
The public art program is funded by a Percent
for Art Ordinance, established by the City of Roanoke as a
way to fund public art in city neighborhoods and public places
to reflect its vibrancy and heritage. The fund is comprised
of one percent of the budgets of certain projects in the city’s
capital improvement program. Public art policies and decisions
are guided by the 15 volunteer members of the Roanoke Arts
Commission, with fi nal approval from City Council. More information
is available at www.roanokeva.gov/publicart.
To find out more about this event, or to
obtain images of individual works, please contact Susan Jennings,
Public Art Coordinator, at 853-5652.
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