November 27, 2001
Contact: Jennifer Hutchins, 473 4791
www.rochesterartwalk.com
Media Conference Sunday, December 2
ARTWalk unveils sidewalk imprint test and
announces “First Steps” campaign
Rochester, NY - The City of Rochester and ARTWalk invite members of the media
to the University Avenue entrance to the George Eastman House (opposite Elton
Street) on Sunday, December 2, at 10:30 a.m., to see the results of a test pour
of the 12 ARTWalk sidewalk imprints. Media members will have the opportunity
to speak with some of the Rochester residents who created the designs as well
as ARTWalk organizers.
Outside the University Avenue Eastman House entrance will be a test section
of the wide decorative sidewalk with twelve imprints stamped within the braided
border. It is an example of how the imprints will look when the sidewalk along
University Avenue is installed between the Eastman House and Atlantic Avenue.
In the test pour, the prints will appear side by side, though they will be ten
feet apart on the actual sidewalk. ARTWalk will also announce its “First
Steps” fundraising campaign that will support upcoming initiatives for
the urban interactive outdoor museum.
This past spring, a jury of residents and artists selected the imprint designs
through an open call to all residents in the Greater Rochester Area. The call
elicited 180 entries. The artists who created the designs represent a wide spectrum
of people in the community, from a nine-year-old boy to a high-school teacher
and a professional engraver. The project was sponsored by ARTWalk and the South
East Area Coalition.
ARTWalk is Rochester’s first urban interactive outdoor museum. Its mission
includes combining community participation in the arts with world-class artwork
displays. The pathway on University Avenue leads pedestrians to cultural institutions
and other destinations in the Neighborhood of the Arts. Eventually everything
on ARTWalk will be touched by the arts, from sculpture, benches, and light poles
to map kiosks and sidewalk imprints. The city has planned the sidewalk installation
for next year. In the meantime, ARTWalk continues to hold open calls for artwork
and performances and events that bring together the community to celebrate the
arts. For more information, contact 234-6670 or go to www.rochesterartwalk.org
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