"Could it be that the first signs of progress in the realm of public art will be made from the bottom up, by a grass roots effort that will bolster Lexington's identity as a creative community with a strong sense of civic pride by providing attractive, quality transit services? A closer look at Art in Motion, Inc., a nonprofit corporation based in Lexington and brainchild of Yvette Hurt, certainly makes the case for this possibility.
In 2005, Yvette Hurt established Art in Motion, whose mission is, in part, to enhance public spaces and public transportation in Lexington by constructing bus shelters that incorporate sculpture and art murals for the benefit of LexTran riders and the community. Hurt's motivation began many years ago when she met Raymond Betts, Professor Emeritus of history at the University of Kentucky and founding director of the Gaines Center for the Humanities.
According to Hurt, "Raymond repeatedly impressed upon me and others that one way to build a livable and lively community was to bring art to the streets of Lexington and that has always stuck in my mind."
When the 2004 tax referendum provided LexTran with a dedicated source of funding, Hurt found a way to bring literal meaning to Betts' wishes. Since that time, she has developed a broad coalition of citizens and professional organizations; she has also secured funding from the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government and over $10,000 in private donations. Hurt and the board of directors for Art in Motion are well on their way to building what many refer to in the realm of public art as a public-private partnership model.
"The board members have been integral to getting Art in Motion off the ground," explained Hurt. Peyman Jahed, a local engineer and assistant professor in the School of Design, developed the design criteria for the first shelter and has been a long-time advocate of progressive urban development in Lexington. Joseph Hillenmeyer, a local landscape designer, is helping the group develop a logo and marketing package. Marnie Holoubek, a local volunteer on numerous art and green space projects, has helped the group make connections with other key nonprofits such as the Bluegrass Community Foundation and LexLinc. Scott Diamond, a local educational specialist, will direct the group's outreach to Fayette public schools. "He has also developed the group's Web site and is our all-round IT guru," Hurt stated.
According to Diamond, "Art in Motion is a true grass roots organization: we are a group of lay people whose efforts with this project involve knowledge of transportation and the arts," Diamond added, "Our lack of expertise is both a strength, as it helps us to think and act non-traditionally, and a weakness, as it can lead to poor choices, and that is why we have consciously sought to partner with experienced organizations for each aspect of our work."
For advice on transportation issues, the organization partnered with LexTran. For finances, they contracted with the Bluegrass Community Foundation, and they tapped into LexLinc for help in working with community organizations. Advice on the arts community was obtained from LexArts.
To implement Art in Motion, a task force would be charged with developing a countywide plan to accomplish three goals:
• Enable LexTran, in partnership with LFUCG, to adapt existing bus shelters, including those currently in storage, for the display of two-dimensional artwork;
• Develop a comprehensive plan to provide shelters at all bus stops where there is sufficient physical space to accommodate a structure, or recommend alternative locations that can accommodate shelters and seek corporate sponsorship for purchase of these shelters; and
• Design and build at least three art design shelters in downtown Lexington.
This task force would include representatives from a wide-ranging spectrum of Lexington citizens, LexTran riders, nonprofit organizations and corporate citizens. The goal is to ensure that Art in Motion remains a broadly supported public project, rather than one that represents a particular interest group or the agenda of government officials.
In fact, Hurt would like to see community involvement on the design, construction and maintenance of these shelters, although she is aware that local arts organizations like LexArts encourage the inclusion of professional artists only. "The major corridor shelters could be designed and constructed by professional artists, but then back in the neighborhoods, the local community should be encouraged to participate; in this way, we can build a sense of pride and ownership of these public spaces," Hurt stated.
Her goal is to keep the motivation and support for this project at the roots of our community and enlighten our citizens as to the benefits of public art. Could Art in Motion be considered a grassroots intervention? It certainly seems to be commanding some much-needed attention when it comes to the issue of public art in Lexington.
First design competition
Art in Motion announced its first design competition for an artistically designed bus shelter in April. The site for the first shelter is the eastbound stop at Versailles Road Shops. The budget for the materials and construction is $10,000. For more information, you can visit their Web site at www.art-in-motion.us.
"This site is situated on a major corridor into the center of the city, and that qualified for the funding from LFUCG Corridors Committee," stated Riggins, director of community affairs at LexTran.
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