The City of Asheville is seeking public input on the first of five public art projects for the River Arts District Transportation Improvement Project (RADTIP) area. The first project, “Viewpoint” will be a sign featuring a quote (aka a viewpoint) from a well-known writer whose words embody the spirit of the River Arts District (RAD).
A series of quotes has been suggested by a group of local artists and public art leaders. Now it’s time for residents to weigh in through an online survey. Participants can select up to three quotes in this survey, which will be open from June 10-23. The top choices identified by the survey will be provided to an Advisory and Selection Committee of the Public Art and Cultural Commission (PACC). PACC will make the final decision. To participate, visit Open City Hall Asheville at this link.
When complete the Viewpoint project will feature each letter of the quote as a stand-alone, cut-out piece of metal that will be sited at a viewpoint along the greenway. The form of this piece was originally inspired by the metal “Curve” sign outside Curve Studios and the quote sign installed on the 13 Bones pedestrian bridge featuring work by local artist Cleaster Cotton.
The goal of the five RAD public art projects is to help further develop the renovated and new open space along the French Broad riverfront and strengthen the identity of the River Arts District (RAD). Residents can expect to be engaged on the following upcoming projects in the next year.
- Playful Art: Summer 2019 engagement. A permanent, playful art installation that provides an interactive experience for the public to enjoy in the River Arts District.
- Park Gateway: Winter 2020 engagement. The design and installation of artwork, landscaping, and site furnishings that help define a pedestrian entrance into Jean Webb Park.
- Murals: Summer 2020 engagement. The Captain Bowen (Smoky Park/I-240) bridge abutments and the West Asheville-RiverLink (Haywood Road) bridge abutments within Jean Webb Park are the suggested locations for murals.
- Swings: Artistic metal cutouts will be applied to large swing structures and installed in the River Arts District. This project is being completed through a partnership with the University of North Carolina Asheville’s STEAM Studio, so a call for artists will not be released. It is expected to be installed no later than January 2020.
This project helps implement the 1% for Public Art policy for the capital project known as RADTIP.