Via Wikimedia Commons
Forest Park
Today, Forest Park Forever announced its first class of Artists in Residence, who will make work specific to the environment of the park. We're not sure why this stroke-of-genius residency didn't happen sooner—after all, Forest Park is home to the Saint Louis Art Museum, and has served as inspiration to countless local artists—but with our first Tennessee Williams Festival happening this year, too, 2016 seems to be shaping up as the "We're happy this great thing is happening late, rather than never."
Here's more on the finalists, via a press release:
After launching an open call for artists of all disciplines, an esteemed jury has selected three artists/collectives to participate in the brand new Forest Park Forever Artist in Residence Program. Forest Park Forever received 117 applications from artists all over the country, with three St. Louis-based artists coming out on top...The three selected artists, whose paid residencies are funded by Forest Park Forever, will be bringing very different projects to life over the coming months:
WORK/PLAY’s project will focus on repurposing discarded plant materials into natural dyes for a textile piece that represents a topographical view of Forest Park.
Tentative dates: May 2-22
The 442s will create a new musical composition with the help of a donated piano and willing Park visitors and participants.
Tentative dates: June 6-26
Madeline Marak will draw attention to a tucked-away corner of the Park through the temporary installation of simple metal frames placed by members of the public.
Tentative dates: September 4-24
Proposals were judged by a panel of local arts professionals, including David Allen (director of Arts in Transit, Bi-State Development), Jessica Baran (director, fort gondo compound for the arts; poet and critic), Nichole Bridges (associate curator in charge, Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas & associate curator for African Art, Saint Louis Art Museum), Demond Meek (photographer, demondmeek.com), and De Nichols (community engagement manager, Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis).
Lots to look forward here, St. Louis! Forest Park Forever will be posting updates at this link: forestparkforever.org/artists, so be sure to check back there for the latest.
