Document text
By Margaret Garrington September 02. 2015 3:04PM Presentation of Gateway Island public art proposals coming An artist's conception shows Susan Zoccola's proposal for the Gateway Island. Editor's note: This is the last of three columns on public art leading up to presentation of proposals by three artists for the Gateway Island Public Art Project. Presentations begin at noon Thursday, Sept. 10, and repeat at 5 p.m., in the Gresham Room of the Ashland Public Library. The proposals are posted online at www.ashland.or.us/gatewayartists. The first two Public Art columns are online at www.dailytidings.com. Ashland’s creative economy fills the city with a vibrancy we celebrate daily. Citizens have a wonderful sense of ownership about what happens in the city. Next week there is an exciting opportunity to see and hear presentations about the visions of three inventive artists competing to place their artwork on the triangle called Gateway Island area between the library and Fire Station No. 1. On Thursday, Sept. 10, the finalists for a Gateway Island artwork will present their artistic concepts to the community and an art selection panel. There will be two one-hour presentations given in the Gresham Room of Ashland Public Library: one at noon and one at 5 p.m. The public is invited to see and hear about these proposals, each inspired by the many elements comprising the city’s environment. Gateway Island is one of those locations in town visible on a daily basis to hundreds of pedestrians, bicyclists and automobiles at the junction of Main Street, Siskiyou Boulevard and Lithia Way. Passing this hub regularly, one may not pay much attention to the triangular area. To more clearly articulate the site, the intent of the Gateway Island Project is to add a signature contemporary art piece to serve as a landmark, create excitement and interest for the community and its visitors and visually connect “downtown” with “uptown.” Ashland’s Public Art Commission selected artist finalists for the project based on a rigorous review of more than 60 applications. The three finalists selected to present their art concepts meet the high quality standards of artistic suitability and experience needed for the project. Well-regarded in their field, finalists are professional artists with extensive backgrounds in creating site-specific, outdoor public artwork. The art selection panel consists of citizen art professionals and enthusiasts, neighborhood residents, community members and a city administrator. Each was asked to serve on the panel based on their interest in the success of the city’s public art program. The selection panel will review concepts based on artistic merit, creativity, quality and the hard-to-define “wow” factor. To learn about the Gateway artists, their body of work and artistic viewpoints, visit their webpages: Pete Beeman (www.petebeeman.com), Roger White Stoller (www.stollerstudio.com), and Susan Zoccola (www.susanzoccola.com). The proposed concepts are posted at ashland.or.us/gatewayartists. Margaret Garrington is chairman of the city of Ashland Public Art Commission. http://www.dailytidings.com/article/20150902/NEWS/150909949 © 2015 Copyright © 1995-2011 Crain Communications Inc. All Rights Reserved. Terms of Use Privacy Statement -->