Deadline 4/30/07! Call-to-Artists for UrbanArt's 10th Anniversary

Don't forget! Proposals due Monday!!!

Interactions/ Interruptions: 10th Anniversary Celebration

The UrbanArt Commission is approaching its 10th Anniversary and is commemorating this milestone with a series of events and programs, including the installation of 10 temporary public art pieces, an exhibition of models, drawings and photographs from projects completed over the past 10 years and an audio tour of public art. The anniversary will be recognized during the Spring of 2008.

The title Interactions/Interruptions reflects how temporary public art can be used to change our perception of the space and community around us. It interrupts our environment and forces us to interact with the art and the ideas expressed therein. Interactions/ Interruptions is intended to bring greater visibility to Memphis and public art, to educate the public about the value of public art in the urban landscape and to raise the appreciation of non- traditional and contemporary art.

We are seeking five professional artists from the tri-state area (TN, MS, AR) to create temporary public artworks to be displayed around Memphis.

Other components of the temporary public art project include:
1. A large-scale installation by Seattle artist Dan Corson who often uses technology such as interactive (motion-sensored) light installations in his artworks.
2. Temporary public art projects by local college-level student artists. A request for student proposals will be distributed in September 2007. Four student proposals will be chosen by our selection committee.

The budget for professional artists is $5,000 for each project.

Applications are due by 4:00 P.M., April 30, 2007.

The full call-to-artists can be found here. Or call 901.525.0880 for more information.

Dolph Smith

We got a press release recently that our own Dolph Smith will be teaching book binding classes this fall at Caifiordi School of Art in Italy.

He will teach two separate week long classes, one beginning September 3 and the other September 10th. Constance Grayson, director of Caifiordi states that "Dolph is so talented and such an exceptional teacher that we know these classes will be excellent creative opportunities even for a true beginner."

Memphians know Dolph for his watercolors, books and small paper sculptures. He also worked with Kay Lindsey to create the massive sculpture Confluence, at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts. Kay, a poet and former Memphian, wrote a poem called The Origin of Applause that Dolph worked into a sculpture that spans the length of the mezzanine level at the Cannon Center. He created tiny paper maquettes and the good folks at the National Ornamental Metal Museum transformed his ideas into metal.

The results are amazing and need to be seen in person to be fully appreciated.

North to Alaska

This looks like a fun project to apply for. We would love to see more local artists apply for national projects. Just give us a call if you need a pep talk.




The Alaska State Council on the Arts (ASCA) announces a Call for Artists for the Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC). The deadline is May 23, 2007 and the total art budget is approximately $700,000 for three sites. For the complete Request for Qualifications (RFQ), visit Artist Opportunities on the ASCA website: www.eed.state.ak.us/aksca

Contact: Andrea Noble (907) 269-6605 or 1-888-278-7424

Trolley Station Artwork Honored by American Society of Mosaic Artists

The mosaic mural by Jeanne Seagle at the Madison Avenue Trolley Line's Orleans Station was selected for inclusion in Mosaic Arts International, an annual exhibit that is part of the American Society of Mosaic Artists' annual conference. A digital image of the mural will be projected at the exhibit, which is held at the Mesa Arts Center in Mesa, AZ from March 20 to April 29.

Seagle was commissioned by the Memphis Area Transit Authority through UrbanArt to create the mural, which is installed on an 8-foot tall, 5-foot diameter column and depicts images of Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins, B.B. King and Johnny Cash, all of whom recorded at Sun Studio, which is right around the corner from this trolley stop.

Today! Panel Discussion & Tom Otterness Lecture

Don't forget! Panel discussion today about public art including how it can be used to engage students on college campuses.

Thursday, April 5
3:00-5:00 P.M.
University of Memphis, Jones Hall Room 212

And don't forget about the Tom Otterness lecture!
Thursday, April 5
7:00 P.M.
University of Memphis, Rose Theater



Both events are free and open to the public, seating will be limited based on first come first serve.
We hope to see you there!

Arts Advocacy Day

Just last week... or the week before... or the middle of March... anyway, recently our own Melanie Spillman joined a group of local arts administrators for a trip to Nashville for Arts Advocacy Day. It is an annual event organized by Tennesseans for the Arts, and it gives individuals from all over the state a chance to visit with members of the legislature to talk about the importance of the arts. Become a member of Tennesseans for the Arts and you get a subscription to their newsletter, The Arts Advocate; email Action Alerts about important arts issues; and invitations to Arts Advocacy Day and the Governor's Awards in the Arts.



That's Mel with Senator Mark Norris and other arts advocates.