Functional art will soon adorn the streets of the Aurora's East End Arts District with the planned installation of the public art project titled "The Intersection of Art and Function," artist-designed public art benches.

The City of Aurora's Art in Public Places Program-in collaboration with the city's Urban Renewal Division-convened an art selection panel last year to select artists to design public art benches to be placed throughout the Arts District, with installation planned for May 6. The art selection panel was composed of northwest Aurora residents, business owners, artists and members of the Art in Public Places Commission.

Eight artists were selected to design the functional artworks including Béatrice Coron of New York, John Davis of Arizona, Jim Gallucci of North Carolina, Matthew Kargol of South Dakota, Joseph McGrane of Colorado, Valerie Theberge of Maryland, Cameron Van Dyke of Michigan and Madeline Wiener of Colorado.

A Federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) is funding "The Intersection of Art and Function," which is intended to enhance the burgeoning East End Arts District, a 16-block area located generally along the historic commercial corridor from Clinton to Geneva streets.

Where

Lacewing Art, 9724 E. Colfax Ave. - 1 artwork by Béatrice Coron

Red Delicious Press, 9901 E. 16 th Ave. - 1 artwork by John Davis

Beto's Beauty Salon, 10245 E. Colfax Ave. - 1 artwork by Jim Gallucci

Aurora Fox Arts Center, 9900 E. Colfax Ave. - 1 artwork by Matthew Kargol

East Colfax Ave. at Dallas St. - 1 artwork by Joseph McGrane

Florence Square, 9801 E. Colfax Ave. - 1 artwork by Valerie Theberge

The Other Side Arts, 1400 Dallas St. - 1 artwork by Cameron Van Dyke

East Colfax Ave. at Dallas St. - 1 artwork by Madeline Wiener