Local scout troop’s kite to be part of summer display
The 2014 Public Art display of kites, “Up, Up and Away in Whitewater”, will mark the 10th anniversary of this project. It will also be the last public art project for a while as the Whitewater Arts Alliance takes a hiatus from the event.
Local Girl Scout Troop 3366 recently spent time at Mulberry Glen in Whitewater painting a kite for this effort. Resident Joan Peake, a former Girl Scout, assisted the troop in painting their kite.
In an effort to make this the best ever, the WAA is asking artists to help celebrate the alliance’s 10 successful years of public art by including some form of “10” in their kite design.
Participants can decorate a kite with 10 of something, include the Roman numeral X or some other form of the number 10. Regardless of how the anniversary number is incorporated into the design, the alliance asks those taking part to be creative, whimsical, artistic, colorful, fun, unique or innovative.
The kites come in two versions: a wood form with both sides to be painted, and a metal version to which any variety of adornment can be added. But, Marjorie Stoneman of the alliance said, “Please embed that 10. Think of ‘Where’s Waldo?’ and then make it a ‘Where’s the 10?’”
Kite forms are available at GMA Printing for $25 each. As of press time there were 14 blank wood kite forms remaining and three metal kite forms. Those interested in supporting the project but not completing a kite are welcome to sponsor a kite by purchasing the form for $25 and providing an artist with $25 for supplies to complete the project.
The adorned, read-to-be-hung kites are due back at GMA in May. Kites will be hung on light poles throughout the City of Whitewater through the summer. Funds raised at the kite auction in September will support the Whitewater Arts Alliance.
For more information or to sponsor a kite contact Roni Telfer at (920) 728-1777 and she will link sponsors with an artist.
History of public art
2014 marks the 10th year that City of Whitewater light poles have featured public art via the Whitewater Arts Alliance.
The first public art project, sponsored by the alliance took place in 2005 when 48 fish were created by artists, displayed along Main Street, and then sold to benefit the Alliance.
In 2006, artists painted 56 chairs for display. In 2007 birdhouses were created, displayed and auctioned. And in 2008 butterflies perched on the light poles in downtown Whitewater.
Bicycles were featured in 2009 to bring attention to the many bike trails and fitness options available in our community while “Thinking Outside of the Box” was the 2010 theme.
“Light up Your Life in Whitewater” was the theme for the public art project featuring lanterns on the city light poles in 2011. The 8th Annual Public Arts project in 2012 featured Banners to honor Jim Stewart and his online newsletter, www.whitewaterbanner.com, for providing a great service to the community.
The 2013 theme was “Have a Barrel of Fun in Whitewater” and featured 48 fully functional water barrels. 2014 is the theme for kites, the final year of the public art project.
