A few weeks ago, the newly revamped Commission on Public Art (COPA), met at Metro Hall to hear proposals from various creative thinkers in Louisville about how to connect art in two public places- Manslick Road: The Loop Trailhead and Caperton Swamp. COPA was established in 2010 by the Louisville Metro government as a way to establish and implement public art in Louisville, and although there has been a few stumbling blocks, mostly due to funding, the discussion of public art continues.
The Kentucky Arts Council has partnered with the University of Louisville to present another round of discourse on Public Art and the City: 2012. This is the second conference in this series at the University that started a year ago in order to engage artists, students, curators, preservationists, administrators, public officials, and the general public on the processes of public art.
It’s smart to take note from our area neighbors on this subject. Last year, art professor Theresa Leininger-Miller of the University of Cincinnati reflected on national trends and gave a visual virtual tour of Cincinnati’s public artworks. This year, Renee Piechocki, Director of the Office of Public Art in Pittsburgh, PA will be giving the keynote presentation. According to UofL’s website, Piechocki’s lecture “will look at frameworks for successful public art programs in the US, paying particular attention to community involvement, models of communication, and educational programming”.
Also, not to be missed is the session on Rodin’s Thinker, which was recently cleaned and restored to its dark brown patina by leading conservators who will share their insight and knowledge during a panel discussion.
The Public Art and the City: 2012 Symposium is on April 13th from 8:30am to 3:30pm at the Chao Auditorium, Ekstrom Library on the campus of the University of Louisville. Registration fee is $25 and includes breakfast and lunch. To register contact Janna Tajibaeva at janna@louisville.edu or 502-852-2247.
After the symposium, make your way to the Cressman Center, 100 E. Main St., where glass artist John Miller will be giving a public demonstration from 6:30 – 8:30pm. Miller is an assistant professor and head of the glass department at Illinois State University in Bloomington-Normal. Miller exhibits internationally and his current exhibit Gathering: John Miller and Friends showcases 26 super-sized Venetian-style goblets, which were created by Miller between 1996 and 2011 in collaboration with some of his colleagues and friends. It is on view at the Museum of Glass in Tacoma, WA until June 2012.
Glass art by John Miller
Feature photo: Rodin's Thinker at the University of Louisville
