Public art always speaks well of a community, but this project, initiated by Artcenter Traverse City, is quite unique. Not only will the finished work be displayed in a public view on Ace Hardware, but the public was invited to participate in the creation of the work.
Artcenter secured the talent and experience of Terry L. Dickinson to direct the project. Dickinson began painting murals in 1974 in Bay City, Michigan. He also has a mural presence in Frankenmuth, Saginaw, Clio, Flint, Ludington, Petoskey, Grayling, and Roscommon, as well as Michigan Tech and Purdue University, having completed nearly a thousand murals in his 36-year career. He has directed two similar community murals in Grayling.
Professional artists contributed to the project at two levels; one, the submission of fine art to be considered for the image used in the mural , and, second, several artists were be chosen to assist and instruct the general public, as individuals from across the talent and age spectrum chose to get involved.
The mural, when completed, will be 13' x 50' and consist of 2,600 six-inch squares. Artcenter set up work tables at several public events, including the Downtown Art Walk, Union Street Art Fair, Cherry Festival, Artcenter Traverse City Outdoor Art Fair, and other art-related events. At each of these events, the public was be invited to paint one or more of the pieces. At the conclusion of each event, the painted pieces were fastened in place on the south wall of Ace Hardware on West Front Street. The mural grew on the public as each painting session adds more pieces, and the final image was not be generally known until the project neared completion.
We have finished painting all 2,600 tiles!! They will shortly be fastened into place on the wall at Ace Hardware. Look for details about the mural party in November!
We need volunteers to help with this special event! Volunteers are needed to help with affixing tiles to the wall, helping with the party, and working with the database. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Kathy Lienau at (231) 941-1806.
Comments:
09/10/2010 - Sue FlanneryNoah Ben Shea wrote: "Families are a way of holding hands with forever." This mural project helps us do that. Our family purchased 13 tiles adjacent to each other. Family members can come back in 30 years and view the mural with new family members and actually point out which part of the mural we painted. Give this gift to your family, too.
07/31/2010 - Jamie Schaub
I just missed the date to paint at the outdoor art fair and I am leaving for study abroad on August 18th, just before your next painting day. I would really like to participate in this project - could I come in to the ArtCenter and paint one some day? Thank you, Jamie Schaub (231-649-1445)