By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
Spring might be setting in, but a Whitewater panel recently turned their thoughts and attention toward autumn and an event designed to showcase local artists and the city’s rich repository of talent.
Members of the city’s Public Art Commission met recently to hash over plans for an Art Innovation Celebration later this year.
“We do have just a loose itinerary of what we would like the day to look like,” said Taylor Zeinert, who up until recently had been serving as Whitewater’s economic development director.
Zeinert was still in the city’s employ when she discussed the parameters around the celebration with commissioners at the April 3 meeting.
The celebration – slated for 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 13 – will take place alongside a myriad of other events, which other community groups and entities, are handling,
“There is a lot going on that day,” Zeinert said. “That is the same day as Food Truck Fest. Additionally, the Arts Alliance is having their own exhibit, so there is going to be lots of things to do in Whitewater, which is really exciting.”
The loose outline Zeinert spoke of with commissioners included an introductory session, a guided art walk and artist talk and specific participatory and spectator events that would shine a further light on the arts within Whitewater.
Several local dignitaries – including potential Common Council members and city staffers – could be on hand for an introductory welcome to attendees. Artists, sponsors and key contributors also could be recognized during the open event.
Based on the loose parameters thus far, the guided art walk and artist talk could entail different stations, where attendees would travel to different painted traffic boxes. Each artist would have 3 to 5 minutes to explain his or her vision behind the specific piece on display.
“We would have easels set up,” Zeinert said in explaining the visioning thus far. “That would have photos of each of their boxes, and then we would have maps available so that people could walk to each of them. It would give them an opportunity to showcase and talk.”
A list of some of the potential community celebration activities could include chalk activities for children, a reception at the Whitewater Arts Alliance and performances from local musicians.
At the recent meeting, commissioners discussed potential musicians who could lend their talents to the day’s activities. Logistics continue to be worked out.
Commissioners are hoping to have up to eight artists take part in the art walk and artist talk, and an appeal for participants is underway.
The prospect of the initiative’s continuation, regardless of artist participation size, also was discussed at the meeting.
“I think the project should still happen, even if we don’t have the eight because I think some art is better than no art – at least based on what the Common Council charged this group with doing,” Zeinert said.
Commissioners will continue discussing some of the granular details of the celebratory day at upcoming meetings.
