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Urbana staff previews Winter Lights, Postmark programming, new public sculpture and parking-deck mural call
Summary
Staff recapped Downtown Urbana Winter Lights, upcoming Postmark and Artists of the Corridor programming, announced a mosaic sculpture 'Heal Us' by Nicole Beck for Boneyard Creek, and reminded the commission of a $50,000 parking-deck mural commission (deadline Feb. 9).
At its Jan. 13 meeting, the City of Urbana Arts and Culture Commission heard a series of staff updates on recent and upcoming public-art and cultural events downtown.
Olivia, a city arts staff member, opened with a recap of the Downtown Urbana Winter Lights event — rescheduled to Dec. 20 due to snow — and credited partnerships with Immersion Fest and Gallery Art Bar for activating alleyways and downtown spaces. "We were able to do this really awesome event for the second year in a row, Downtown Urbana Winter Lights in partnership with Immersion Fest," Olivia said, noting a rough head count of "a couple 100 people."
Staff also previewed the Feb. 14 Postmark event, which will use the Urbana Free Library as a hub and will highlight Lunar New Year and Poetry Month programming with cultural dance and music supported by the Asian American Cultural Center.
On public art, staff described a new selection process coordinated with 40 North and reported that a colorful mosaic sculpture, 'Heal Us' by Nicole Beck, will replace the deteriorated 'Ice Pops' piece at the Boneyard Creek site. Staff gave the sculpture dimensions as roughly 6 feet high by 3 feet wide by 3 feet deep and noted it is made from steel and painted fiberglass with mosaic surfacing.
The commission was reminded that a call for portfolios for a parking-deck mural remains open with $50,000 available to cover artist costs and installation; staff said submissions have been received and listed Feb. 9 as the application deadline. Staff described a two-stage review process: an initial feasibility and budget review by staff and 40 North, then an anonymous juried selection by commissioners.
Staff also previewed an Artists of the Corridor exhibit by photographer Millie Vishkawa and a downtown photography workshop with a lecture and walk starting at the Urbana Free Library.
Next steps: staff will continue to accept mural applications until the deadline, coordinate logistics for Postmark programming in February, and bring public-art selections forward to the commission for anonymous jury review.
