The Town of Orangeville has announced its Call for Artists for the 2018 Utility Box Art Display Program. With a submission deadline of May 11, the Town is looking for local artists to help beautify our community and celebrate the Town’s vibrant arts culture. Since this popular program began in 2016, eight functional utility boxes have been transformed into colourful works of art for the community to enjoy.
The Utility Box Art Display Program is designed to recognize local artists, celebrate the Town’s culture and history, and promote Orangeville as an arts and culture hub for the region. It provides local artists with the opportunity to submit original artwork for installation on selected Town utility boxes using a custom vinyl wrap process. Winning submissions will be selected by a jury, and successful artists will receive a fee of $500 for their designs. Applicants must reside in Dufferin County and must be at least 18 years old. Artists interested in submitting their work for the competition can find all the guidelines at the Arts and Culture section of the Town’s website.
Up to six utility boxes in four locations within Orangeville will be wrapped in unique and original art under this year’s competition. This year, specific design themes exist in two of the four locations. The sites and themes of the utility boxes approved for the 2018 installations include:
- Kay Cee Gardens (John Street entrance) – open theme
- Riddell Road at Alder Street – open theme
- Hansen Boulevard at Blind Line – Man in Motion theme depicting Rick Hansen’s 1985-1987 World Tour
- Alexandra Park (three boxes) – Poppy theme to commemorate the centenary of the end of World War 1
Open theme designs should fit the character of Orangeville and may include nature, local history, or celebration of arts and culture. Art will be selected with consideration to scale, form, content and design relative to the site. Artists are asked to carefully review the requirements and templates included in the Call for Artists for complete details.
The Town’s growing collection of utility box art includes the following installations:
- A Bit Crisp by Sharon Wadsworth-Smith, located at First Street and Hansen Boulevard
- Heavy Horses by Ellen Cameron, located at First Street and Elizabeth Street
- Isabel East Side Trail by Meagan Kikuta, located at Amelia Street and Hansen Boulevard
- Mill Creek by Catherine Howard, located at Broadway and Mill Street
- Orangeville by Sanja Culina, located at Broadway and Second Street
- Orangeville by Madison Pflance, located at Broadway and John Street
- The Thrill is Gone by Larry Kurtz, located at Broadway and First Street
- The Turbines of Amaranth by Karey Shinn, located at Broadway and Clara Street
The Utility Box Art Display Program provides local artists with a unique opportunity to create public art that contributes to the beautification of Orangeville. Eligible artists are invited to download the Call for Artists for more details.
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