Arts Alliance public art project beautifies downtown Whitewater
By Dave Fidlin
Correspondent
In recent weeks, a number of locally produced artistic creations have been dotting the downtown Whitewater streetscape, and organizers hope spectators are having a barrel of fun taking in the works.
For the ninth consecutive year, the Whitewater Arts Alliance is holding its public arts project. This year, 48 artisans have created images on barrels that have been attached to light poles throughout downtown.
The barrels depict a variety of images, ranging from nature scenes, local landmarks and human relationships.
“We have engaged a variety of artists for this year’s public arts project to tap into our community’s creativity,” said Roni Telfer, who chaired the 2013 public art project committee for the Whitewater Arts Alliance.
“The barrels are a useful and decorative way to help both our natural and artistic environments,” Telfer added.
As with years past, this year’s participants are disparate and range from novices to experienced artists. Creators include members of Brownies and Girl Scout troops, local elementary, middle and high school students and teachers.
Over the years, the Whitewater Arts Alliance has used a variety of methods for sharing art with the greater community and visitors. When the program launched, artists were asked to use a fish shape and theme as their canvas.
Other artistic creations in years past have revolved around the themes of chairs, birdhouses, butterflies, bicycles and lanterns.
Marjorie Stoneman, who serves on the alliance, said a significant number of hours go into planning the effort each year.
“This is all volunteer driven,” Stoneman said. “It’s a real community effort. This is a great team project. A lot of cooperation is involved.”
In addition to promoting Whitewater’s vibrant arts scene, Stoneman said the public art effort has been a mechanism for tourism.
“It’s an exciting, wonderful and creative project for our community,” she said. “I think it helps encourage people to come see Whitewater.”
Spectators interested in taking in the 48 barrels and learning about each one can obtain a brochure through a number of venues, including the Whitewater Arts Alliance’s Cultural Arts Center, Irvin L. Young Memorial Library, the Discover Whitewater office and online at www.whitewaterarts.org.
The brochure lists the title of each barrel exhibit and mentions the artist and accompanying sponsor.
As with previous public art efforts, this year’s barrel display will remain in place through mid-September.
City crews and resident volunteers will take down each of the 48 barrels at the end of summer. They will subsequently be cleaned and auctioned off at a fundraiser benefiting the assorted programs put on by the Whitewater Arts Alliance.
This year’s auction has been scheduled to take place at 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Cultural Arts Center, 402 W. Main St.
When the auction has wrapped, members of the Whitewater Arts Alliance will announce the theme for next year’s public art project.
Once the theme is known, artists will be invited to submit suggestions and begin the process of creating their works.
