{{unknown}}The independent collaboration between ArtWalk, Art at Large, and the Anne Arundel County School Performing and Visual Arts (PVA) Studio 39 program has produced a new art installation utilizing paint to activate crosswalks within the Annapolis Arts District.
The installation named “ArtWalk’s Crosswalks” was led by Chuck Walsh of ArtWalk in conjunction with the artistic leadership of Sally Comport of Art at Large. The installation occurred along two crosswalks located at the Amos Garrett and West Street intersections, across from Park Place within the Annapolis Arts District boundaries.
The crosswalk paint was applied on May 30th, 31st, and June 1st by a diverse group of local artists, including: Sally Comport; Patrice Drago; Lindsay Bolin Lowery; Stephanie Baker; the Studio 39 instructors, Mary Rosoff and Jean Orzech who coordinated the PVA students’ creative design work for the crosswalks and flower pots which included the reflected state capital image by Sydney McEwan; and recent local graduates of the Maryland Institute College of Art, Anna Quandt and Raven Reyes. The installation occurred between the hours of 4 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.
In addition to the crosswalks, art spilled into the sidewalk entryways. Art at Large worked with Studio 39 to develop three large scale artistic flower pots to add dimension to the project. The flower pots and equipment were donated by Homestead Gardens in coordination with Brian Riddle and Pam Cole-Finlay. After the pots were painted, Homestead filled them with native plants and delivered to the street corners. Additionally, Charles Lawrance of FinArt, Sally Comport of Art at Large and Patrice Drago, Artist-in- Resident at Maryland Hall, painted three artistically unique 10-foot diameter sidewalk entries.
The project was made possible through generous donations from ArtWalk, private funding from Cullen Murray and Rich Crabtree of Merrill Lynch, and Jerry South of Towne Park as well as funding the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County grants.
“There are so many people to thank for this project,” said Chuck Walsh of ArtWalk. “The fantastic help from Annapolis City Public Works department including David Jarrell, Lisa Grieco and Jessie Burneston handled the crucial safety, traffic control and logistics. Jen Casey of Prism and Visit Annapolis for documenting this process.”
The installation, the original idea of Erin McNaboe of Moxe Marketing, was the result of months of planning and coordination after the approval by former Mayor Mike Pantiledes. The concept of Tactical Urbanism is a collection of temporary changes intended to improve the beautification of local neighborhoods and gathering spaces. ArtWalk began the fundraising process for the purpose of such artistic enhancements, increasing foot traffic (tourism) and collaborating across public and private sectors within the Annapolis Arts District.
“Understanding the safety aspects of the crosswalk, the artists took great pain to retain the white striping in its entirety,” said Walsh.
The installation will be visible until it erode naturally, so be sure to get out and catch a peek of this work of art!
