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AUGUSTA — Artists Judith Allen of Portland and James Creighton of Brunswick have been chosen as the selected artists for the State Capitol Copper Dome Reuse Project, the Maine Arts Commission announced.
The artworks the two will create from portions of the copper that were taken from the dome when it was replaced in 2014. The art is slated for installation at the Maine State Capitol Complex next summer.
The commission had called for artist proposals to create new work with the historic copper roofing sheets. A committee of state legislators, artists and commission staff reviewed 29 proposals.
In late October, the committee selected the two artists, who will each wrk with up to 1,000 square feet of copper to create permanent works of art for the State House. The sheets of copper are more than 100 years old. Originally installed in 1909-10, the sheets vary in size but are on average 20″x36″ inch slats.
The first winning proposal, by mixed media artist Allen, entitled “Outside In” is a silhouette of pine trees and nature landscapes depicted on a triptych – three related panels of copper. The piece will hang above the Law and Legislative Reference Library door.
The other winning proposal, by visual artist Creighton, features an image of a Maine’s state tree, the Eastern white pine. Creighton will use dry point scratching to etch the tree’s image into smaller pieces of copper.
“Every Maine law for the past century was developed under these copper sheets,” said Rep. Erik Jorgensen, D-Portland, who served on the special committee. “While the State House is the working center of Maine’s government, it’s also a remarkable public museum. These sculptures will be an exciting contemporary addition to the state’s art collection.”
“This site is so central to Maine’s history and identity,” said Julie Richard the Executive Director of the Maine Arts Commission. “We’re proud to be part of the commissioning of new public art that reflects on Maine’s many virtues.”
