News Media
City of Annapolis Press Release
September 25, 2006
Annapolis the Beautiful: ArtWalk receives Award
The city’s Art in Public Places Commission is pleased to announce an award to the Annapolis the Beautiful:ArtWalk. Using the city streetscape as a gallery, this $70,000 grant will be matched with private investments to create an Annapolis Charter 300 curated exhibition celebrating the progress of our community and the struggles for equality and freedom among the people of our city through the last three centuries.
Annapolis the Beautiful:ArtWalk has organized a consortium of six acclaimed artists, five of whom reside in the Annapolis area. In addition to the late Marion Warren, one of this country’s most recognized and accomplished photographers, these artists include Sally Wern Comport, Sy Mohr, George “Lassie” Belt, Greg Harlin of Wood Ronsaville Harlin, Inc., and Alex McKnight/ Eric Higgs Studio. The consortium of artists offers wide diversity of generation, gender, and ethnic perspectives to highlight the many different aspects of our city’s 300th anniversary.
Artists will make use of the grant to produce large-scale original artwork in several forms, including photographic, mural, painting and enhanced prints. Each artwork will be site specific in size and format to the particular locations. This consortium approach will coordinate the exhibition on a variety of pedestrian and vehicular pathways to maximize awareness of the 300-year celebration and the related art. The art inspired by this project will be available to all; to residents and visitors alike, not in museums, galleries and private collections, but in the best and most wonderful public places.
Artwalk has experience with the creation, production, and installation of large scale outdoor artwork including the recent installation of the Annapolis scene on the exterior wall of Catherine Purple Cherry Architects building on Rowe Blvd. and Melvin Avenue. They participated with the Annapolis Charter 300 committee in the production of the mural based on Lee Boynton’s Council Chamber artwork that is traveling throughout the eight wards. The mural banner most recently hung on the Maryland Archives Building.
Proposed public buildings for art work include the harbormaster’s building and Newman Park, and the Arundel Center. Any art displays within the historic district will need approval from the City’s Historic Preservation Commission. Artwalk is prepared to begin installation as soon as they have completed the approvals process. Private properties under consideration include the new Severn Bank at Westgate Circle, and other gateway locations to be determined.
The City of Annapolis Art in Public Places Commission recently funded two additional pieces of performance art from the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra and composer James Fitzpatrick, whose works will be performed during 2008. All three grants will support the Annapolis Charter 300 commemoration during 2008 and beyond. “These three commissions work in tandem to provide character, color and music to the Annapolis Charter 300 celebration,” said Elissa Lowell, APPC chair. “We are constantly impressed with the incredible world class art created by the Annapolis art community.”
