Community
How Public Art Beautifies Our City Written by: Michelle Aiello
Artist Photos by: Sarah Caton
When we consider memorable places, we think about their icons –The arch of St. Louis, Cloud Gate (also known as “The Bean”) in Chicago, the Eiffel Tower in Paris. All of structures fall under the category of “public art” and were the work of creative individuals who captured the culture, spirit and atmosphere of the places around them. Studies have continually shown that public art is instrumental when it comes to creating an attractive, vibrant community. Through their Soul of the Community initiative, The Knight Foundation surveyed 43,000 people across 43 cities and found that “social offerings, openness and welcome-ness,” and, significantly, the ‘aesthetics of a place – its art, parks and green spaces,’ ranked higher than education, safety and the local economy as a ‘driver of attachment.’” Another survey of Philadelphia residents found that viewing public art was the second most popular activity in the city, ranking higher than biking and hiking. By its very nature, public art is fundamentally different from its private counterpart. Public art is not just for the wealthy or those inclined to visit museums and art galleries. Compared to prestigious gallery shows, public art, much like landscape architecture or park design, is often under appreciated. But there’s a lot to like: It’s free. There are no tickets. There is no dress code. You can view it alone or in groups, any time you want. It’s open to all. Nan Plummer, President and CEO of LexArts, has a similar view. Each year, she and her team raise money for the arts and re-grant to many arts organizations in Central Kentucky. LexArts also serves as our city’s local arts council, providing technical assistance, subsidized office and creative space, and marketing exposure for the arts community –which includes the facilitation of public art projects. “Our aim is ‘arts everywhere’—and while we have lots more places and people to reach, we’re excited to see the expansion in quantity, quality and diversity of the arts in Central Kentucky,” she said. “The big organizations are always trying new things, and there are more small organizations and projects every year. We’re able to do this because of terrific support from the City of Lexington and especially from everyday people who support our Fund for the Arts Campaign.”
36
August 2018 | TopsInLex.com
