New Public Sculptures in Lawrence Showcased at “Toast the Arts”

Herron Art Student, Ava Larkin with model of sculpture and ballot box for community poll commissioned by the Lawrence Redevelopment Commission. (photos by Amanda Allton Photography)

Three emerging artists unveiled their winning proposals and models for public art that will stand as a lasting contribution to the growth of the City of Lawrence. It signifies a sustained local interest and support for the arts, while enhancing the Lawrence Redevelopment Commission’s current and future commitment to improving the streetscape of Pendleton Pike, and the Fort Harrison Reuse Authority’s continued progress on the new Village at the Fort.

The May 11, 2010 Toast the Arts! event was one of a bi-monthly series sponsored by Partnership for Lawrence, Inc., a local nonprofit arts organization whose mission is to bring awareness to and promote the arts in the greater Lawrence community.

This event featured the work of the three Herron School of Art and Design students that have been commissioned to design, build and install three different pieces of public art to be permanently and prominently installed in the City of Lawrence. This is a result of the partnerships between both the Lawrence Redevelopment Commission and the Fort Harrison Reuse Authority with Herron School of Art and Design. The process was set up as an educational project for students to compete for the commission. All three pieces are expected to be installed in the fall of 2010.

Herron Art Student, Cydney Campbell and Lawrence Councilman, Dave Freeman share a laugh at the Toast the Arts event.

“This public art is a very exciting form of progress for our city,” said Dave Freeman, President of the Lawrence City Council.

Ava Larkin, a Heron graduate student, has earned the commission from the City of Lawrence Redevelopment Commission.

In an effort to connect with the community, Ava has created a true collaboration with the city’s residents by setting up a community poll. The residents of Lawrence can look through a list of powerful action words that have the potential to represent the visions of the city, and select up to eight for consideration for the sculpture. The sculpture will be a grouping of four of these words constructed of 6-foot aluminum letters nested together in groups of two. The letters, which seem randomly placed on the islands in the intersection of 56th Street and Pendleton Pike, will allow traffic in both directions a momentary glimpse of the selected words, allowing the residents to share a message of vision with each other and their visitors. To participate in the poll, go to www.avalarkin.com or www.cityoflawrence.org.

After participating in the poll during the event, Lawrence resident Judge Frank Sullivan commented, “I’ve taken the information on how to participate in the poll online to share with my wife, Cheryl. I’m excited to find out if we pick the same words.”

Herron Art Student, Jared Cru Smith with model of sculpture for the Fort Harrison Reuse Authority.

Jared Cru Smith and Cydney Campbell, Herron undergraduate students, earned their commissions from the Fort Harrison Reuse Authority after both vying for the same project to be installed at the new entrance to the Village at the Fort off Post Road.

“These students exceeded my expectations!” said Kris Butler, Executive Director of the Fort Harrison Reuse Authority.

After the jury panel made the difficult decision to select Jared Cru Smith’s trio of elegant and organically shaped concrete and resin designs for the location, Ms. Butler went back to her Board of Directors to fund another selection, Cydney Campbell’s abstracted and reflective doors, that will be installed at the new walking trail around the pond at the new Village at the Fort.

The event was co-hosted by PFL and Midwest Model Makers, a premier architectural model making company located at 5742 North Post Road. The beautifully renovated structure that now houses the firm is part of the historic Fort Benjamin Harrison campus and was once known as the Pump House. It is tucked back in an inconspicuous and scenic wooded area just west of North Post Road, north of the historic Otis Avenue Theatre and the former Service Club now known as the Sterrett Center and under the old Fort water tower. The beauty of the property, background guitarist Brittni Knox, and the detailed model work inside provided an inspiring backdrop for the artists’ work.

Andrew Lee, Executive Diector for Art with a Heart (left) and Sandi Ballard, Director of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce (right) take the poll for Ava's word sculptures.

Established in 2009, the Toast the Arts! series provides an affordable vehicle to showcase artists and musicians, as well as places of interest in Lawrence Township. Chef Suzanne and Elite Beverages, as well as a growing membership in PFL, Inc. generously support it.

“I feel passionate about the mission of Partnership for Lawrence and hope to help Lawrence become a cultural destination where people will come from outside our community to see what’s happening here,” commented Board President Judy Byron.

The free series, as well as Artique! (an annual art fair held in November), are events designed to promote the arts in our Lawrence Township community in a manner consistent with PFL’s commitment to bipartisan partnerships that support the arts through easy access, multigenerational participation in affordable art events, and diversity in presentation and genre. Most recently, PFL is proud to have purchased a work of art from Lawrence Township teacher and artist Brad Holmes. “Bending the Blues” is the first piece acquired by PFL as part of a permanent collection to be made available for public display throughout the township. The vision of Partnership for Lawrence, Inc. includes a vibrant, productive and enriching community art center that is accessible, affordable, and contributes to the sustained presence of local artistic endeavors and experiences in the Lawrence Township community. For more information or to join the membership, visit us online at www.PFLInc.org.

Photos by Amanda Allton Photography