LEXINGTON, KY - A visible symbol of transformation happening in Lexington's East End is materializing at the corner of 3rd & Elm Streets near the Lyric Theater, which will soon undergo renovation.
Arts in Motion (AIM), an all-volunteer group formed around the idea that the lowly bus shelter could double as outdoor gallery space, is overseeing construction of a $36,675 structure featuring five "2-D" art mural panels designed by Joseph Tiu and a sculpture by UK Fine Arts professor Gary Bibbs (see artist's rendering). Tiu donated his works and funding for the Bibbs sculpture is a combination of private dollars raised by AIM and a grant from the Knight Foundation. Funding for the shelter structure was provided by the Urban County Council's Neighborhood Development Bond Fund and private contributions to Art in Motion.
All vendors and the general contractor, Steve Hranicky, are providing their services at cost, according to AIM founder Yvette Hurt. The design is provided by EOP at below cost.
AIM, in partnership with First District Councilmember Andrea James, formed a committee to review the shelter and sculpture designs during the preliminary stage. That group included East End neighborhood representatives Thomas Tolliver and Joan Brannon, Roots and Heritage festival committee representative Scherer Boyd and the Urban League's David Cozart.
AIM has also formed a committee to help develop the first 'call for artists' to commission the future art murals and to help find a local program to serve as curator for the East End art gallery in perpetuity. AIM will coordinate the art panels for the first year, but is hoping to find a local group to sponsor additional artist competitions so that the gallery can exhibit new artwork every 6 months or so.
LexTran general manager Rocky Burke and his staff have worked with AIM to help make the project happen. LexTran is paying for the concrete pad and retaining wall, according Hurt. "LexTran has pledged financial support for both Art in Motion projects - (the existing) "Bottlestop" on Versailles Road and the new East End art shelter - in the amount it would have spent to place a pre-fabricated shelter and concrete pad at each of these bus stops," Hurt said.
The new shelter at 3rd & Elm will be dedicated in a ceremony on Sunday, August 2nd at 3:00 pm