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WATERVILLE — The first public art installation in the Waterville Creates! effort to bring public art to the city went up July 2 and will be in place until September.
The Public Art Task Group, which seeks to foster community involvement and collaboration through highly visual dynamic art installations in the city, is behind the Waterville Wheat Paste project, whcih began going up on buildings downtown July 2 in anticipation of the Maine International Film Festival.
The art will remain in place until Saturday, Sept. 30.
The task group is working with Maine wheat paste artist Kerstin Gilg and local artists to install 10 large-scale temporary wheat paste and paper artworks on historically significant landmarks downtown. Artists were invited to work with pre-selected historic photographs and iconic images of Waterville, including the Hathaway Man and the Two-Cent Bridge, and were encouraged to reinterpret, manipulate and recreate the imagery in a way that reflects their perceptions of Waterville. Gilg, who oversaw a similar project in Gardiner, will oversee the installation process.
“One of the things that is appealing about wheat paste is its temporary nature,” said Shannon Haines, Waterville Creates! president and CEO. “It is also very high-profile and accessible yet still affordable, which makes it a great way for the Public Art Task Group to kick off its efforts to engage both residents and visitors alike.”
“I am excited to be contributing to the creative landscape within Waterville,” said Gilg. “A lot of positive growth has happened in a relatively short period of time and this wheat paste project will serve as a terrific highlight for the arts. This kind of project, at its core, is a physical illustration of the care people have for their city. It is a reflection of value, inclusion and pride for shared public spaces and how these areas can be used to share ideas and strengthen community.”
Art is planned for: The Center, 93 Main St. facing Castonguay Square, Lisa Wheeler; The Center, 93 Main St. facing the Waterville Opera House, Chris Nilles; The Old Post Office, 1 Post Office Square, Serena Sanborn, Bria Sanborn and Jessica Shoudy; Joe’s Smoke Shop, 121 Main St., Gary Green; the Rancourt Building, across from Silver Street Tavern, Kate Barnes; Camden National Bank, 33 Main St., Helene Farrar; Waterville Public Library, 73 Elm St., Peter Precourt; Railroad Square Cinema, 17 Railroad Square, MIFF 2017 Poster Art.
Two additional locations are still being confirmed to feature the work of Gilg and Karen Adrienne.
