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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:Public Art to Celebrate Great Smoky Mountains National ParkThe Waynesville Public Art Commission recently issued a Call for Artistsfor their fourth public art piece. The proposed art will celebrate theGreat Smoky Mountains National Park and its historic relationship toWaynesville.For many years an arched sign hung across Main Street declaringWaynesville as the "Eastern Entrance to the Smokies." Long-timeresidents will recall that the archway was near the intersection of Mainand Depot Streets, near the former First National Bank. This is also theintersection where Franklin D. Roosevelt made his entrance intoWaynesville while promoting the development of the Great Smoky MountainsNational Park in 1936.The former bank site is now the location of the "mini-park"which is scheduled for rehabilitation in 2010. Using funds that havebeen donated specifically for the improvement of the park, the Townplans to revitalize the area by improving access, landscaping, lighting,and encouraging more usage of the mini-park. The existing rock perimeterwalls will remain, but must be brought into proper code adherence by theinstallation of a railing along Depot Street. This provides anopportunity to meet functional needs in an aesthetic manner.The Public Art Commission has requested that interested artists submitdesigns for a 69-foot railing that will incorporate artistic elementsrelating to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and its historicalconnection to Waynesville. The artist must reside in either NorthCarolina or Tennessee, the two states contiguous with the Park, and mustsubmit a portfolio of past works for review. The Call for Artists andother public art information can be viewed on the Town's website atwww.townofwaynesville.org <http://www.townofwaynesville.org (http://www.townofwaynesville.org/)> .Three artists will be chosen from the applicants to make a presentationof their finalized plans to an advisory panel of 35-40 community andarts supporters. After reviewing comments of the panel, the Public ArtCommission will decide on a finalist to receive the commission of$20,000.00. The installation will coincide with the refurbishment of thepark and should be completed by fall 2010.The $20,000.00 commission will be raised from private sources, and thepublic is invited to make a donation to the Public Art Fund. Checksshould be made payable to the Town of Waynesville Public Art Fund, andshould be mailed to PO Box 1409, Waynesville, NC 28786 in care ofDowntown Waynesville Association. Donations may be tax deductible.Contact:Kaaren Stoner828-627-0928 |
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