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GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — It’s time for a stroll downtown.
Grand Junction’s 25th annual Art on the Corner exhibit changes Saturday as artists install 33 new sculptures on Main Street.
Some of last year’s sculptures will stay.
The Downtown Development Authority purchased six sculptures from the current Art on the Corner exhibit.
The 2008 People’s Choice award — the colorful “Flutterby” sculpture at Seventh and Main will find a new permanent home at the Western Colorado Botanical Gardens.
Another piece will be installed in the new breezeway being constructed connecting Main Street to the parking garage.
Sculptures that will remain part of the city’s permanent exhibit include “Crucible of Creation 2” by Chapel, “Billy” by Dimitry Domani, “Great Heron,” by Susan Olsen, “Uncomplicated Moon,” by Reven Swanson and “I’m Glad We’re Still Together,” by Gene Adcock.
Three years ago the DDA started earmarking money to purchase sculptures from the annual Art on the Corner exhibit to place on Main Street as well as the newly remodeled Seventh Street and Colorado Avenue.
Art on the Corner was started in 1984 by local sculptors.
“The idea of using Main Street sidewalks as a gallery was not prevalent in the mid-’80s,” said Allison Sarmo, coordinator of Grand Junction Commission on Arts and Culture.
“There were temporary exhibits in New York and Chicago parks, and Boulder, but almost nobody was doing it on Main Street sidewalks. Now it’s been copied in many places. We’re very proud of that.”
Both Sarmo and local artist Dave Davis have received calls from all over the country from people asking how to start art on the corner projects in their towns, Sarmo said.
“It really adds value. It has become the signature of downtown,” Sarmo said.
Artists from around the country are invited each year to apply for the Main Street exhibit.
Out of 80 pieces submitted this year, the Art on the Corner Committee, comprised of local artists, community members, and business owners selected 33. The sculptors are from Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Californian, Oregon and Kansas.
The artists receive a $500 honorarium from the DDA for loaning their works to Grand Junction for the year.
Community members are invited to meet the artists Saturday as they install the new sculptures with the help of various community volunteers from 7:30 until about 11:30 a.m.
FCI Constructors, Carlson Memorials and Girardi Crane company have all donated services to help with the installation, Sarmo said.
“It’s a real community project,” Sarmo said.
“It’s really an exciting exhibit. There are so many different styles coming in this year,” from bronze, found object creations and stonework, Sarmo said.
Reach Sharon Sullivan at ssullivan@gjfreepress.com.
Grand Junction’s 25th annual Art on the Corner exhibit changes Saturday as artists install 33 new sculptures on Main Street.
Some of last year’s sculptures will stay.
The Downtown Development Authority purchased six sculptures from the current Art on the Corner exhibit.
The 2008 People’s Choice award — the colorful “Flutterby” sculpture at Seventh and Main will find a new permanent home at the Western Colorado Botanical Gardens.
Another piece will be installed in the new breezeway being constructed connecting Main Street to the parking garage.
Sculptures that will remain part of the city’s permanent exhibit include “Crucible of Creation 2” by Chapel, “Billy” by Dimitry Domani, “Great Heron,” by Susan Olsen, “Uncomplicated Moon,” by Reven Swanson and “I’m Glad We’re Still Together,” by Gene Adcock.
Three years ago the DDA started earmarking money to purchase sculptures from the annual Art on the Corner exhibit to place on Main Street as well as the newly remodeled Seventh Street and Colorado Avenue.
Art on the Corner was started in 1984 by local sculptors.
“The idea of using Main Street sidewalks as a gallery was not prevalent in the mid-’80s,” said Allison Sarmo, coordinator of Grand Junction Commission on Arts and Culture.
“There were temporary exhibits in New York and Chicago parks, and Boulder, but almost nobody was doing it on Main Street sidewalks. Now it’s been copied in many places. We’re very proud of that.”
Both Sarmo and local artist Dave Davis have received calls from all over the country from people asking how to start art on the corner projects in their towns, Sarmo said.
“It really adds value. It has become the signature of downtown,” Sarmo said.
Artists from around the country are invited each year to apply for the Main Street exhibit.
Out of 80 pieces submitted this year, the Art on the Corner Committee, comprised of local artists, community members, and business owners selected 33. The sculptors are from Colorado, Utah, New Mexico, Californian, Oregon and Kansas.
The artists receive a $500 honorarium from the DDA for loaning their works to Grand Junction for the year.
Community members are invited to meet the artists Saturday as they install the new sculptures with the help of various community volunteers from 7:30 until about 11:30 a.m.
FCI Constructors, Carlson Memorials and Girardi Crane company have all donated services to help with the installation, Sarmo said.
“It’s a real community project,” Sarmo said.
“It’s really an exciting exhibit. There are so many different styles coming in this year,” from bronze, found object creations and stonework, Sarmo said.
Reach Sharon Sullivan at ssullivan@gjfreepress.com.
