It started as a rivulet of eye-catching murals several years ago and has since turned into a torrent of talent adorning the continually changing canvas of a City as steeped in the challenges of history as it is committed to the essential element of evolution. Thanks to a sagacious focus on the future, Annapolis now has the Art in Public Places Commission (AiPPC).
Since its inception in 2001 AiPPC has been further enhancing the City’s outdoor spaces one carefully planned and thoughtfully layered brush stroke at a time. With a mission to enhance the public art environment of the City and to encourage national recognition of Annapolis as one of the nation’s top cities for the Arts, AiPPC is fully committed to the sustainability of the City of Annapolis.
Community building.
Image courtesy of Art in Public Places Commission.
Future History Now (headed by husband and wife duo Jeff Huntington & Julia Gibb) has been commissioned to paint a taxi cab mural on the Annapolis Department of Transportation building. Like most of Future History Now’s Annapolis murals, this one will draw attention to a crucial but heretofore undercelebrated aspect of the City’s history. In particular, the mural will honor the eclectic, rich history of African American taxi drivers in Annapolis. According to Jeff Huntington, the artist himself, the work will include “portraits of 16 Annapolis taxi drivers and a 1950-era Radio Taxi.” His deft technique will provide the eye-popping neon effect evocative of a time when taxi drivers were the only call.
Concept rendering of the upcoming mural celebrating Ward 3 Taxi drivers.
Image courtesy of Future History Now.
Still in the concept phases, Downtown Annapolis, in partnership with the Hispanic Community Outreach Office of the Mayor and liaison Laura Gutierrez has a plan in the works for a poetry mural in downtown Annapolis. What is known is that the mural and poetry will be painted by local Latino artists, with hopes that the work may unfold along the facades of several buildings.
The Arts in Public Places Commission (AiPPC) is a volunteer group consisting of nine members, one from each of the eight wards,
plus one at large, each a mayoral appointment. Image Courtesy of AiPPC.
Another exciting prospect (awaiting grant approval by the Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Asphalt Art Initiative) is that of a painted mural on the asphalt surrounding Stanton Center, which serves the surrounding community. The artist will be selected by the Stanton Center which will, in turn, lead additional community artists in both creating and painting this mural.
Visual interventions, such as this Breonna Taylor mural by Future History Now, foster expression, personal growth and skill sharing for youth facing adversity through collaborative mural projects guided by professional artists. Image courtesy of Street Art Films.
Locals and visitors alike benefit from the meaningful works happening in the City of Annapolis. Arts and culture remain consistent sources of economic growth: increasing economic development by attracting businesses, creating new jobs, increasing tax revenues, and promoting tourism. Whether hunkered down or passing through, every individual benefits from a community centered.
