Would create changing art display on the bell tower plaza
A changing display of public art will be the result of a sculpture contest sponsored by Jefferson Matters: Main Street’s Tower View Team and Home State Bank. The contest, dubbed “Ring Out for Art,” was introduced to the county supervisors at their regular meeting Sept. 28 by Jefferson Matters volunteer Deb McGinn.
“Ring Out for Art” is intended to be an annual event held in conjunction with the Bell Tower Festival.
“The Tower View Team is always trying to find ways to enhance the experience of the bell tower, whether you’re up on the observation deck looking down from the tower or down on the plaza,” McGinn said. “We know that by adding sculpture we will add another element of interest to our downtown district. It will add another reason every year to come down to our downtown district from the casino, and to pedal up the RRVT down to our main street.”
The TVT team will soon put out a statewide call for entries in the contest. Every sculpture must include some sort of bell, although the bell doesn’t need to function as a ringing bell. Artists will be asked to submit sketches or photos, and a selection committee will pick six pieces to display in the competition. It is the six pieces the TVT wants to display during the Bell Tower Festival.
The winner of the first prize, chosen by people’s choice, will receive $2,000. The second place prize will be $1,000 and the third place prize will be $500. The cash is Home State Bank’s contribution to the project.
The three winners will be asked to loan their sculptures to Jefferson Matters for one year. The project would provide “permanent, revolving art work,” McGinn said. She asked for the supervisors’ approval to have the sculptures on the plaza near the bell tower.
Board chair John Muir asked about stabilization of the sculpture and about liability. McGinn said there is a draft of a hold harmless agreement that names Jefferson Matters: Main Street, Greene County and the city of Jefferson. Muir asked McGinn for a copy of the agreement before the board approves the project.
