New banner program to add artistic touch to Downtown streets
The Town of Castle Rock took another step toward its Vision 2020 goal of maintaining a vibrant downtown and providing outstanding cultural opportunities by hanging works of local artists on street banners. Town Council got a sneak peek at the winners of the Art on the Street banner program as the winning artists were introduced during its Aug. 26 meeting.
Mayor Pro Tem Doug Lehnen, was duly impressed, saying, "I really appreciate all of you for doing it. I am
not an artistic person, so thank God for all of you!"
The public determined which artworks would be displayed as banners, casting more than 700 votes at a traveling voting exhibit. After opening at the Farmers Market on Second Street, the exhibit then spent two weeks at Philip S. Miller Library before returning to the Farmers Market for a last round of voting at the end of July. From 20 finalists, the top eight were chosen and digitally rendered onto street banners.
Wood-burning artist Fritz Anders said he was excited his piece "Is that you, Deer?" had been selected.
"It is a great project for the Town of Castle Rock to showcase some of the local talent and keep the Town's charming appearance," he said.
Banners featuring the works of four artists will go up the first week of September and will remain up through the fall and winter. The other four artists' banners will be hung in April 2009 and remain up through spring and summer. The banners will complement the "Be Downtown" banners and will be placed on streets within the Downtown core.
The winners' original art will be unveiled formally in the Greater Castle Rock Art Guild booth at Artfest, 9:30 a.m., on Saturday, Sept. 6.
Rosemarie Lohnert of Castle Rock says having her artwork selected for Art on the Street has motivated her. "I am already thinking about what to paint for the next contest! I'm sure the decorated streets will be noticed and appreciated by visitors, residents and businesses," she said. "It certainly is a win-win program for the entire town."
Here is a rundown of the banner winners as well as the season in which the banner will hang:
Fall/Winter 08 banner artists
Fritz Anders, "Is that you, Deer?," wood burning
Dix Morris, "Morning has broken," pastel
Sarah Phippen, "Hay there," oil painting on canvas
Mark C. Williams, "Crystal River," photography
Spring/Summer '09 banner artists
Rosemarie Lohnert, watercolor/collage, "Springtime"
Colette Brooks, "Double Dutch," oil painting on canvas
Brent Given, "Me and Ma" cow and calf moose, bronze sculpture
Bruce Makinney, "Airborne," pastel
View pictures of all eight artists' banners by going to the Town's Web site,
www.CRgov.com and clicking on Downtown Castle Rock Information in the left-side menu.
Rhonda Dougherty is a Community Relations Assistant for the Town of Castle Rock.