Unveiling of Public Artworks in Decatur and Lyons

October 27, 2015 Leave a comment


Two Northeast Nebraska communities in Burt County will unveil separate public artworks on Sunday, November 1 and Monday, November 2. The projects, part of the Byway of Art project, are a collaborative effort by the Center for Rural Affairs, artist Matthew Mazzotta, and the communities of Decatur and Lyons and made possible by ArtPlace America.

 

On Sunday, November 1 in Decatur, NE  “Rural Legends” a new public artwork in the form of a trolley and station for telling the legends of small town Decatur will open at 3:00 pm Downtown on Broadway.

 

The idea for “Rural Legends” came from an historical promotional postcard with a trolley pasted into a photo of downtown Decatur. It came about as a means of encouraging tourism to the town. (View the original postcard (from some 100 years ago) here: http://bywayofart.com/artwork/3808513_Decatur_Byway_of_Art_Concept.html .)

 

On Monday, November 2 in Lyons, NE the Grand Opening of the Lyon’s Storefront Theater will take place from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. at 214 Main. What looks like an ordinary storefront facade, actually opens up and folds down over the sidewalk onto Main Street. Cushioned bleacher seats pull out from inside the structure for people to sit and watch a performance or a movie on the other side of the street, making Main Street into an outdoor Storefront Theater. (View an artist’s rendition of what of what the finished project will look like: http://bywayofart.com/artwork/3828412_Lyons_Byway_of_Art_Concept.html .)

 

Internationally recognized songwriter Josephine Foster will give a special performance at the grand opening. Local filmmaker Bill Hedges will debut his film “Decades,” a documentary film about the history of Lyons since the 1860’s. The film will feature re-enactments of different events and time periods and was shot in Lyons earlier this summer.

 

Who: 

The Communities of Decatur and Lyons, the Center for Rural Affairs, ArtPlace, Decatur Museum and artist Matthew Mazzotta

 

What:

Unveiling of Public Artworks part of the Byway of Art Project

 

When:

Sunday, November 1st at 3pm, Downtown Broadway, Decatur, NE

Monday, November 2nd at 6:30pm, 214  Main Street, Lyons, NE
Rural Legends and the Storytelling Theater are part of the Byway of Art project, a network of four community-specific artworks in northeastern Nebraska. The regional project is a collaborative effort between the communities of Decatur, Lyons, Macy and Oakland; artist Matthew Mazzotta and the Center for Rural Affairs, and is made possible with funding from ArtPlace America. For more information or rain date visit: bywayofart.com.

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Main Street Coffee in Oakland for Byway of Art Project

October 2, 2014 Leave a comment


Many Oakland citizens, business owners, members of the Oakland-Craig High School Art Club, and others interested in the Byway of Art project, attended the Main Street Coffee on Monday.

The coffee took place next to the Masonic Lodge in Oakland. The setting resembled a cozy living room, furnished with a couch, chairs and a coffee table in the middle.

The Center for Rural Affairs has received a grant to create an art project, not only in Oakland, but also in Lyons, Decatur and Macy as well. Artist Matthew Mazzotta will lead the way in creating an art project to be on display in each community, based on each towns own identity, qualities and history. Matthew will have many other artists to assist him, such as local artists and art students from the schools in each area.

There were questions handed out to each person at the coffee to help in formulating the type of art project by way of discussion during the afternoon.

One of the most prominent questions asked was “What do you thing about your town’s identity?” Everyone there agreed Oakland is known as being Swedish. There were those voicing concerns over the Swedish Festival and how it has dwindled in previous years. Everyone agreed more people need to step up and help with it, as there are those that do so much, and others helping would be appreciated, and hopefully, boost the festival back to what it use to be. Karl Lundquist is in charge of the next festival. If interested in assisted Karl, please call him.

Former Oaklander Tom Wallerstedt has moved back to Oakland. He is the new curator at the Swedish Heritage Center. “He is doing a wonderful job. We are glad to have him as curator. More and more people are now visiting the center,” Joanne Peterson said.

Another question involved keeping the town alive, and how to do so. Many consider the school as a factor in the town’s livelihood. It isn’t just the school that keeps the town alive though. “The town thrives based on population base and businesses. There are also many commuters that choose to live here,” stated Rachel Wise, also the State Board of Education President.

The conversation took on a life of it’s own after that. “People feel safe here. We don’t have to worry about being shot at,” stated Joanne Peterson.

Where the project will be located in Oakland is still a mystery. “We will be doing the art project next summer. We don’t know where yet, but it will be designed specifically to Oakland,” Matthew said.

For those who missed the coffee, Matthew will be back in about three weeks. When and where hasn’t been decided yet, but when the decision is made, Kat Country Hub will let everyone know.

Debbie Anderson of Oakland was one of the organizers for this event. For further information, or if you would like to answer the questions pertaining to the art project, contact her. They are also available on the Byway of Art Facebook page.

 

Matthew Mazzotta, from left, Garrett, Debbie Anderson, organizer, and Rachel wise at the Main Street Coffee. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

Matthew Mazzotta, from left, Garrett, Debbie Anderson, organizer, and Rachel wise at the Main Street Coffee. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

Betty and Ed Hanna have been prominent citizens of Oakland for many years and enjoyed discussing the community at the Main Street Coffee. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

Betty and Ed Hanna have been prominent citizens of Oakland for many years and enjoyed discussing the community at the Main Street Coffee. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

Jeff Troupe, back and Ben Murray along with others in the picture, such as Ed Hanna and art students, attended the Main Street Coffee. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

Jeff Troupe, back and Ben Murray along with others in the picture, such as Ed Hanna and art students, attended the Main Street Coffee. Photo Credit/Denise Gilliland, Editor and Chief, Kat Country Hub.

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Main Street Coffee Hour

September 29, 2014 Leave a comment


Looking forward to Main Street Coffee Hour in Oakland! Monday, September 29th, 12-6 p.m. “We all have stories to share!”

The event will take place across the street from the drug store, in the area of Danny Hanna’s barber shop and the old Corner Coffee Shop. Bring friends and family and enjoy some lively conversation!

 

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Byway of Art Receives Grant

June 26, 2014 Leave a comment


Today, the Center for Rural Affairs announced that the organization will receive one of 55 grants awarded by ArtPlace America in 2014 to support creative placemaking across the country.  The $200,000 grant will support the cooperative creation of a public artwork in each of four neighboring towns, guidance from an established visiting artist, and celebration of the completed works with a tour in Autumn of 2015.

“Investing in and supporting the arts have a profound impact on the social, physical, and economic futures of communities. Projects like these demonstrate how imaginative and committed people are when it comes to enhancing their communities with creative interventions and thoughtful practices.” ArtPlace Executive Director Jamie L. Bennett.


According to Adele Phillips with the Center for Rural Affairs, the 2014 ArtPlace awardees represent 4% of the 1,270 letters of inquiry ArtPlace received this year. This year, 31% of ArtPlace’s grants will go to projects working in rural communities, which compares with 17% last year.


“This is an unprecedented opportunity for the Center for Rural Affairs, and we are delighted to share this exciting news,” said Phillips. “Deploying the arts can transform communities, and receiving such generous support from ArtPlace validates both our past work and future vision.”


We are particularly proud to be part of the upswing in awards for art projects in rural and small town America. And we commend ArtPlace America for recognizing the potential for community art initiatives in so many rural places across the nation this year.


Jan Cline-Zimmerman, proprietor of Creative Connection Studio Gallery in Oakland, Nebraska, is excited to see the arts move forward in these small towns. “I have dedicated over 30 years to teaching students of all ages in the fine arts. This funding will allow many more opportunities to expand creativity within the region and encourage communication across multiple generations and cultures.”


Next steps in project implementation will include an Artist’s Talk on public art, and invitations to community members to join in on this exciting opportunity. The Center for Rural Affairs welcomes the citizens of Lyons, Decatur, Macy and Oakland, Nebraska, to celebrate the news of this exciting opportunity.


About ArtPlace America

ArtPlace America (ArtPlace) advances the field of creative placemaking, in which art and culture plays an explicit and central role in shaping communities’ social, physical, and economic futures. To date, ArtPlace has awarded $56.8 million through 189 grants to projects serving 122 communities across 42 states and the District of Columbia.


ArtPlace is a collaboration among the Barr Foundation, Bloomberg Philanthropies, The Ford Foundation, The James Irvine Foundation, The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, The Kresge Foundation, The McKnight Foundation, The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, The William Penn Foundation, The Rockefeller Foundation, Rasmuson Foundation, The Surdna Foundation, and two anonymous donors.


ArtPlace seeks advice and counsel from its close working relationships with the following federal agencies: the National Endowment for the Arts, the US Departments of Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Agriculture, Education, and Transportation, along with leadership from the White House Office of Management and Budget and the Domestic Policy Council.


ArtPlace has additional partnership from six major financial institutions: Bank of America, Citi, Deutsche Bank, Chase, MetLife and Morgan Stanley.The deadline for submission for a 2015 grant application will be announced later this year. For more information or to join ArtPlace’s mailing list, visit www.artplaceamerica.org.


For additional information about ArtPlace contact: Bow Bridge Communications, LLC, New York City, Libby Mark, Managing Principal, 917- 968-5567, info@bow-bridge.com.

 

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