Posted on March, 15 2016
The Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation Project Spaces initiative, in partnership with the Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority (DART), will unveil the latest public art bus wrap during the Hoops & Hops special event at Cowles Commons. The bus wrap is the third of four planned public art bus wraps featuring artists’ one-of-a-kind designs.
Public Art Bus Wrap Unveiling
Date: Thursday, March 17, 2016
Time: Comments from the Public Art Foundation and DART at 10 a.m., followed shortly by the unveiling.
Location: Cowles Commons, 221 Walnut Street, in downtown Des Moines, IA (West of 3rd Street, between Locust and Walnut Streets)
Getting to the Unveiling: Attendees of the unveiling are encouraged to ride DART’s free D-Line Downtown Shuttle.
“In the spirit of the Public Art Foundation’s mission, we are a catalyst to engage visitors and residents with public art.” remarked M. Jessica Rowe, director of the Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation. “A year-long effort of the Project Spaces program committee, this project is a great example of our temporary public art initiatives. Together with DART as our community partner, we help nurture the City’s wider strategies for economic, social and cultural development—our aim is to enrich the lives in our community by advancing the best of public art.”
"The Public Art Foundation and DART are bringing public art where you'd least expect it," said Christine Hensley, Des Moines City Council Member, DART Commissioner, and Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation board member. "We are proud to continue this innovative partnership that brings art to our citizens right where they are on the streets."
The bus wrap is the latest in a series of projects, supported through the Public Art Foundation’s Project Spaces initiative, and follows temporary art installations at the Iowa State Fair. Through Project Spaces, the Public Art Foundation places compelling, temporary works of art in highly accessible and visible public spaces.
The bus wrap project began with an open call to all professional artists/artist teams, 18 and older, residing in the United States. Forty-five artists from 21 states submitted applications, over 328 images were reviewed, and finalists were commissioned to create concept proposals. The first design was by artist Alex Brown and was unveiled in November 2014. The second design was by Jay Vigon and was unveiled at the 2015 Des Moines Arts Festival. The design by Susan Chrysler White will be the third bus wrap to be unveiled.
ABOUT SUSAN CHRYSLER WHITE
Susan Chrysler White is a recent recipient of the Joan Mitchell Foundation Award in Painting and Sculpture, the National Endowment for the Arts as well as being one of seven artists in Iowa filmed by Iowa Public Television for the Iowa Master Artist Series. White also has exhibited her work in 30 solo shows and over 100 group exhibitions nationally and internationally. Artist's website: www.susanchryslerwhite.net
ARTIST STATEMENT
“My work is often influenced by the seasons. This work and the imagery reflect my vision of Summer and the changes it brings to the natural world and manufactured world. Plant and animal life flourish with drama, we are faced with volatile weather; extreme heat, torrential rain, tornadoes, yet there’s a lightness that cannot be felt any other time of year.” Susan Chrysler White
ABOUT THE GREATER DES MOINES PUBLIC ART FOUNDATION
The Greater Des Moines Public Art Foundation, established in 2004, recognizes that art belongs not just in galleries and museums, but also in streetscapes, parks, buildings and infrastructures of a thriving community. Dedicated to envisioning, developing, advancing and promoting public art projects, the Public Art Foundation collaborates with local entities and artists to engage, inspire and enrich the lives of residents and visitors to the community. The goal is to increase awareness of our community as a world-class destination for public art. For more information about the Public Art Foundation, visit www.dsmpublicartfoundation.org.
ABOUT DART
The Des Moines Area Regional Transit Authority is the public transportation provider that serves Polk County. DART operates a family of transportation services that makes getting around the Greater Des Moines area easier and more convenient. For more information about DART services, schedules, route changes or directions to the nearest DART stop, visit the website at www.ridedart.com or call 515-283-8100. The MyDART Tools, Trip Planner and RideTime Transit app are now available at www.ridedart.com.
RIDE DART TO THE UNVEILING
The D-Line runs in a loop, every 10 minutes along Grand Avenue and Locust Street in downtown Des Moines. The FREE shuttle provides service from the Iowa State Capitol to the Western Gateway with a stop at Cowles Commons. Just hop on the bus at any of the stops – no fare needed. Hours of operation are Monday – Friday, 6:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.