From the desk of the UrbanArt Commission:

Library Panel Discussion
The UrbanArt Commission’s First Project: The Central Library
March 25, 2008
5:30 PM
Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library

The UrbanArt Commission began in late 1997 to administer what is still one of its largest projects to date, the Benjamin L. Hooks Central Library. On Tuesday, March 25 at 5:30 PM, the Central Library will host a panel discussion about the library as the UAC’s first project. The panel will include former executive director Carissa Hussong, artist Jeane Umbreit and others. The program includes a slide presentation of the artwork at the Central Library, plus discussion of how the project started and how it spurred the development of the UAC, how the artists were selected, and what it was like for artists to work with architects for the first time.

This panel discussion is happening in conjunction with the exhibit, 10 Years of Public Art in Public Libraries, which takes a look back at drawings and models from projects the UAC has done in City of Memphis libraries, on view March 3-31.

For more information please contact: Elizabeth Alley, 901-525-0880.

and

UrbanArt Commission/Countrywood Park
Memphis, TN
Deadline: 5/7/08

The UrbanArt Commission (UAC) is seeking an artist to create a fun and unique public art enhancement for Countrywood Park, soon to be renamed Fletcher Creek Park. The top three residential priorities for the installation include: promoting community interaction and bringing people of all ages together, linking the project with the surrounding environment, and including an innovative educational aspect. The location within the park and nature of the enhancement is to be left up to the artist.

The budget for this artwork is $50,000. All artists who live in the tri-state area, which includes Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi, are invited to submit their proposals by 4:00 PM on Wednesday, May 7, 2008. Also, a workshop will be held at the UrbanArt Commission office at 8 S. Third St., Suite 100 at 5:30 PM, Monday, April 7, and is open to all artists who wish to learn more about the project and its guidelines.

The full guidelines for proposals can be found on the UAC website, www.urbanartcommission.org, or by calling Laura Caroline Johnson, Project Coordinator, at 901-525-0880.