Public Art Installation by Gordon Huether Studio to be Installed in Wards Corner

April 29, 2015

WCart1The Wards Corner Public Art is scheduled to be installed on April 30!

Below is the City of Norfolk Press Release:

Gordon Huether Studio, led by artist and founder Gordon Huether, was selected to design and fabricate a public art installation for the Wards Corner neighborhood. The sculpture, Wards Corner Gateway, will be installed on the median on Granby St., near North Shore Rd. on April 30, 2015.

The City of Norfolk’s Public Art Program worked with Gordon Huether Studios to develop a concept that embraces local identity, fosters a strong sense of place and creates a significant gateway for the City of Norfolk. The installation enables all viewers, whether local or visiting, an opportunity to pause and reflect about the continued positive and exciting changes taking place in the neighborhood.

The Wards Corner Gateway installation is made up of two components: a bird-like structure inspired by the famed intersection where Alfred C. Ward once operated his iconic general store, and a polished aluminum base. The large wing-like component, features a black and white aerial photograph of the Wards Corner intersection and was taken by a staff member of the Virginian Pilot in 1956. This part of the installation is made of translucent polycarbonate material. The wing-like component is then mounted atop an eleven-foot tall aluminum base, which causes the ‘Wing’ to point toward the sky. Wards Corner Gateway will be illuminated at night, featuring programmable color-changing lighting.

The installation and its upward orientation references this neighborhood’s future: its continued upward growth and development in cultural, economic and community matters.

More information can be found here: Public Art Chosen for Wards Corner

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Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.

Public Art in Wards Corner; 75 artists pared down to 3

December 5, 2013

pubartThe Wards Corner Public Art Planning Committee (WCPAPC) met once again on December 2, 2013 at the Selden Arcade.  City staff (Planning Department, Parks & Rec, Public Works), representatives of the community, and representatives of the Norfolk Public Art Commission were in attendance.

Four hours were spent poring over 75 artist responses to the Request For Proposal for Public Art in Wards Corner.  Each of the 75 was scored on a scale of 1-10 by each of those in attendance.  The top selections were then reviewed and scored again until the group came to a consensus on three final artists.

The final artists are Osman Akan, Gordon Huether, and Karen Yank.  The next step in the process will occur in the next two weeks when the three finalists will be interviewed via skype.  The WCPAPC will then choose a finalist who will then enter into a contract with the city to visit Wards Corner, create a proposal specific to Wards Corner, and, if accepted, construct the art.  When the artist visits Wards Corner they are expected to visit the taskforce and/or local civic leagues for education and input.

Osman Akan’s website.

Gordon Huether’s website.

Karen Yank’s website.

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Posted by Martin Thomas Jr.