Public art grows

Wednesday, May 06, 2009

By Henry Sweets

Jackson Hole, Wyo.-When Bland Hoke Jr. saw the old Broadway Chevron sign covered in billowy black plastic - an eyesore on the most heavily trafficked road in town - he teamed up with the Center of Wonder (COW), and turned it into a public art display.

Now, Hoke wants his position with COW to extend into a trial-and-research period for a full-blown, permanent public art program. But to do that COW needs the funding and “public art” needs a mention in the comp plan, he and COW Director Carrie Geraci said.

Since transforming the Chevron sign, Hoke has put hand-painted animals on Highway 22 fence posts, orchestrated ice sculptures at Rocky Mountain Bank and helped build an interactive Snowtorium on Snow King mountain - all as the COW’s Public Art Ambassador.

If funding comes through, a “Go Hammocking” installation would put hammocks of recycled material all over Snow King. Another project would put a repurposed chairlift sculpture at Teton Village.

Last Monday, he and Geraci won a grant endorsement from the Town Council to extend Hoke’s role through next winter, but their larger goal is to get language in the Comp Plan that specifically endorses and guides funding for public art.
“The ‘Town as Heart’ theme identifies pedestrian improvements as one of their priorities,” Geraci said. “It doesn’t necessarily say art in public places, but it could.”

Besides improving Jackson’s aesthetic and brightening people’s perspectives, public art can celebrate the cultural history of the place, provide a way for locals to come together and be an icon of the creative culture that is growing in Jackson, Hoke said.

“The plan talks about enhancing community gateways. If you want to impart a certain sense or atmosphere on entering Jackson, public art would be a great way to do that,” he said.

Geraci and Hoke are setting an example that other interest groups could follow: research a plan to brighten the community’s future and ensure that Town Council will listen.

Programs in other communities are typically funded by a percentage of commercial development costs, or new government building costs, but Geraci said the programs often pay for themselves with the amount of economic activity they generate. PJH
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Public art grows | Planet JH News Article: General News

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