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“Public Art | Iowa” Offers Sharing Opportunity
In
an effort to foster dialogue and share ideas, more than 50 Iowa artists
and arts administrators attended the Public Art | Iowa conference June 6-7
in Waterloo. This was the third such event devoted to the topic of public
art. This year, the event was sponsored by the Iowa Arts Council, James
& Meryl Hearst Center for the Arts, University of Northern Iowa, Waterloo
Center for the Arts, Public Art Committees of Cedar Falls and Waterloo,
Friends of the Hearst and Friends of the Art Center.
The conference allowed participants the opportunity to learn more about starting and managing public art programs and projects, to discuss public art issues and to tour art collections in Cedar Falls and Waterloo. Participants were able to showcase public art developments in their own communities during a “show and tell” session as well.
“Our goal was to open the lines of communication about public art to those who have the means to drive these projects in their communities,” said Mary Huber, executive director of the James & Meryl Hearst Center for the Arts. “What didn’t work is just as important as what did work in the realm of public art and we were able to discuss both very openly so that we could understand and be successful in future endeavors.”
A walking tour of the University of Northern Iowa’s public art collection was also offered and a panel presentation, “Public Art from the Artist’s Point of View” provided a valuable opportunity to learn about different views of, and investments in, public art, Huber added.
Enhancing the Public Art | Iowa experience, the University of Northern Iowa Art Gallery invited participants to a Tuesday night lecture and gallery opening for “Fossil Fuel, a performance art piece and exhibit about contemporary dependence on fossil fuels. On Wednesday afternoon, the Waterloo Center for the Arts hosted a preview opening of its exhibit, Inside Outside, featuring work by former UNI graduates who have become professionals working in the public art arena.
Iowa artists interested in receiving email notices of public art commissions
can email Bruce Williams and
request to be added to the Iowa Public Art Artist Listerve. Please include
your mailing address.
