Art on the Street

To continue the tour of Art on the Street, I though I would give you a little more information about the program. Modeled after other similar outdoor art programs, the city of Lafayette essentially leases these sculptures from the artists for a small stipend. In addition to the stipend, the artist receives a fair amount of publicity and has their work on display and for sale for the period of one year.

At the end of the year long period, unsold art will be returned to the artist and new sculpture will be chosen. The goal that the Public Art Committee has set is to expand the number of sculpture by four more each year for several years. This year we have 8, we hope to install 12 next summer.

Today's sculpture is Banned, by Jim Small. This piece is made of stainless steel and aluminum and measures 13.5' x 6' x 4.5', and weighs 150 lbs.

Banned is a whimsical, over-sized interpretation of the once popular game lawn darts or jarts. The dart at one time was one of the most enjoyed backyard lawn games but was banned from production in the 80’s due to injuries of the players. Banned is part of a larger than life series of objects from our past. The fins of Banned spin in windy conditions.

Banned is place on the west side of Festival Plaza, at the intersection of Chester Street and Public Road. It's bright color and enormous size draws attention. It is a fun piece for all ages.

For more information about Art on the Street, to vote on your favorite, or inquire about purchasing one of the sculptures, visit the city website.

Art on Vacation

Earlier this summer Jeremy and I took the girls on a trip to Sayulita, Mexico, with his parents and brother's family to celebrate my in-law's 40th anniversary. It was a wonderful trip filled with lots of fun experiences. As we explored this beautiful, small town, with cobblestone streets, I was struck by the art I found everywhere! From shop signs, to painted menus, mosaics at the fish shop, to murals on the walls, we were surrounded by art!

Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.

-Pablo Picasso

The work of the artist is to lift up people's hearts and help them endure.

-William Faulkner

Art is the signature of civilizations.

-Beverly Sills

Art on the Street

One of Lafayette's largest Public Art Committee endeavours is the Art on the Street installation. This rotating public sculpture gallery on Public Road in Old Town Lafayette has been in the works for the better part of two years. With a lot of hard work, fundraising and several grants, PAC saw their dream realized with the reception for the unveiling of Art on the Street on June 19. The event was fun, food from Hanna's Catering, music from a bassoon quartet, lots of people, and wonderful sculptures!

I will take several entries to give you a look at each of the sculpture that are part of Art on the Street. For a closer look, come to Old Town Lafayette, and take a stroll up and down Public Road. Three of the eight sculptures have been installed at Festival Plaza, at the intersection of Chester Street and Public Road. The remaining five were on display at the reception, and will be installed later this month.

The first piece I will share with you is the Beanstalk Giant, by Boulder artist Bruce Campbell. This beautiful piece is installed at Festival Plaza, at the intersection of Chester Street and Public Road. It's whimsical nature attracts children and adults to its mystery. He seems to have a calm, wise presence on the lawn of the Plaza.
The Beanstalk Giant was created through a combination of painting, welding and engraving on a grain storage tank salvaged from an old farm. He is a wonderful example of "green" art, which repurposes other materials for a new and creative use. It measures 80" x 64" and weighs 300 pounds.

Through various combinations of welding, painting, carving, and engraving, Bruce Campbell combines painting and sculpture to impart an archetypal, ancient quality and a mystic energy to salvaged iron, steel, wood and stone. The unique shapes and surface patinas, sculpted by time and weather, become an integral part of his imagery, which seemingly emerges from the intricately weathered surfaces. The recycled materials speak to the past through their old world craftsmanship and timeworn surfaces, and speak to the future by sending the message that all can share the planet sustainably while continuing to build, create, and foster cultural expression.

For more information about Art on the Street, to vote on your favorite, or inquire about purchasing one of the sculptures, visit the city website.

Stay tuned for more here, I have 7 more sculpture to share with you!

Key Rings for a Cause

Although business is slow in the summertime, we got an email for a big order a few weeks ago- 100 custom key chains. A company called, 4women, that sells the BeauBeau, a head scarf for women impacted by hair loss due to chemotherapy or alopecia, asked us to make a special key ring to be used in one of their upcoming products. We were thrilled.

After several emails and a phone call with Kristin, we designed a special key ring, incorporating bright colors and patterns and the special significance of Milagros.

These key rings, along with some other useful items, will be part of the Beaubag, a special tote bag for chemo patients. Susan, the 4women founder, has selected each item to be useful for women going through that difficult medical treatment. She has created a way for women and girls, who have lost their hair, to maintain their style and dignity through what is a difficulty time. We are happy to be part of this meaningful product.

We are fortunate enough to be blessed with our health, and we hope you and your loved ones are healthy, too. But, if you know someone who is experiencing medical hair loss, visit Susan at 4women. She has some wonderful products, and a great blog.

Blink

Don't look now, but it's July 14. Maybe next time you blink it will be September or December. I can't believe I haven't sat down to write since May. May?! Really?! Have I been that remiss?It's not that I have nothing to say. Everyone who knows me, knows I have plenty to say. Is it that I have no time? No energy? Too many other priorities? I am not sure.

But, I am here, now. So, I will write. Perhaps you, dear reader, will forgive my transgression, will read.

Recap-

Since the last time you heard from me, Kerry and I, and our respective families (separately or together) have been busy. We held a big sale at the studio, went to Art Night Out, took one trip to Mexico, and one to Hawaii, worked on one basement finish, built and planted two garden beds, celebrated 4th of July, took a mountain trip, went to the Renaissance Festival, hiking, Cave of the Winds, swimming, roller skating, two book club meetings, took the kids to the library, took an altered book class for us, library activities for the kids, is dog sitting, working on never-ending yard work, had a visit from the in-laws and numerous dinners with friends. Exhausted, yet?

We hope you're having a good summer, too.

More photos from the sale...

Headbands and pouches...

Littlest Miracles Collection, for the younger set.

Fun, summer drawstring backpacks...

Easy going tote bags.

Beautiful shoulder bags, too.

.........and much, much more!

Join us for our Private Sale

Our two day sale starts today. We have been busy getting ready. The studio is filled with new, summery items.
Our summer specials and one of a kind items are all ready for the two day sale. In the background you can see our fun tote bags and purses on display, too.

Fun, summer bracelets. What a bargain!

Join us Thursday, May 21, 6:30pm – 9:00pm, for some light dessert and beverage; or on Friday, May 22, 9:00am – 1:00pm, for coffee and a treat. Bring a friend along with you.