FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
June 12, 2008
(TROY,
MI) – Artists are invited to participate in a brand new community
art project presented by the City of Troy, Troy Historical Society and Troy
Community Coalition. “Art Unhinged: 2008-09 Door Project” promotes the
transformation of common, discarded steel doors from the former headquarters of
Kmart in Troy into beautiful public or private art. Participants of all ages
are encouraged to apply.
“This is a wonderful
opportunity for creative minds to showcase their talents while beautifying our
surroundings,” said Community Affairs Director Cindy Stewart. “What makes this
project even more unique is the element of transforming doors that would
otherwise end up in junkyards.”
Youth and adults will be
divided into separate groups and then further into five categories, which
include wearable, functional, indoor, outdoor, and public art. Artists will
have roughly six months, until May 30, 2009, to transforms the steel doors into
magnificent works of art.
Once completed, the pieces
will be on display in April 2009 at various locations within the City. In May
2009 the pieces will be auctioned off to the highest bidder at a special gala
auction event. Artists will receive one-third of the auctioned price. The
balance of the proceeds will benefit the Troy Historical Society Heritage
Campaign and the Troy Community Coalition.
“We’re
truly excited to see what the minds of different artists can come up with when
given the same medium,” said Stewart. “There is no doubt in my mind that this
project will progress not only into a thrilling art experience for everyone,
but into a wonderful fund-raiser for these two worthy causes as well.”
Artists
interested in participating must apply by July 1. Applications are available
online and must be submitted with a detailed sketch of their potential project
along with a $25 registration fee. Due to the limited amount of doors,
applications will be selected by a jury, who will notify artists by August 1.
Those not selected by the application jury will have the registration fee
returned.
For more information, please
call 248.524.1147, 248.823.5088 or 248.524.3301. Also, to download an
application, visit www.troymi.gov/CommunityAffairs and click on Art Unhinged. A
photo of the steel doors from the former Kmart headquarters is also located on
the Web.
###