Monday, March 18, 2024

Williamsburg Public Art Council to Discuss New Mural

(WYDaily/Ben Mackin)

WILLIAMSBURG — The City of Williamsburg Public Art Council (WPAC) will host its next meeting at the Stryker Center, 412 N. Boundary St., on Jan. 31, 2022, at 3:30 p.m.

On the agenda is a proposed multi-colored mural by artist Steve Prince. This mural would be located on the wall of the Food Lion grocery story, 1234 Richmond Rd., across from Sal’s By Victor.

According to the description listed on the application, “the mural would reflect past and present scenes of people representing various ethnic groups participating in ‘everyday’ family activities. The vibrant foliage of the fertile land would be present in the image, musicians playing instruments parading through the streets, the Colonial Homes coupled with the Midtown Row buildings would create a skyline hearkening to the past/present, parents teaching their children to ride bikes and fish on Matoaka River, and reflections of the Native American, the African, and the European would linger in the shadows like a distant memory gracefully reminding us of the complications and troubled history of the past while revealing a path toward communal harmony as exemplified by the Midtown Row community. It will have a mixture of bold and subtle colors that will co-mingle on the wall evoking the spirit of jazz music. The compilation of land, nature, the built environment, and people would be carefully woven into the composition like a patchwork quilt stitched together by hands for many generations!”

Also on the agenda is the Chair’s Report, which will feature Five Key Principles for Evaluating Public Art Proposals. The principles are a set of 5 questions:

  • Does the work advance Williamsburg’s purpose for the Public Art Program in that it celebrates the City’s past, present and future; enhances the City’s identity and economic vitality by enouraging people to spend more time engaging with public art; and/or highlights and enhances the beauty and unique character of the City?
  • Does it embody public or universal concepts vs commericial, partisan, or personal ideas or interests?
  • Is the work visually and physically accessible to the public and does it extend opportunities for community engagement without demanding a particular conclusion?
  • Does the work express Williamsburg’s values while creating an elevated sense of awareness for community members and visitors?
  • Can the work be construed as derogatory, offensive, or obscene in any way?

WPAC also released its 2022 schedule. The meeting that will follow the one detailed in this story will be held also on Feb. 28, 2022 at the Stryker Center

More information can be found on the City of Williamsburg Civic Portal website.

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