$120K Worth Of Art Headed For Manchester Courthouse

2009 Art Project Approved by Public Arts Commission - Rejected by Courthouse

The City of Richmond Public Art Commission plans to spend $120,000 on art for the newly renovated Manchester Courthouse. It could be one piece or several but the selection process was open to anyone that can follow directions. All the details are here and the date for submissions was this past Friday.  All the prospective sites are outside so don’t expect a giant paper mache scales of justice. Here is what the art is expected to do;

The artwork should strengthen the identity of this facility and should create a sense of place for both employees and visitors. It should give vibrancy to its public spaces, humanize the plaza, and make employees and visitors feel welcome. Themes should respect the building’s purpose, but need not be limited to judicial subject matter.

Also bear in mind that even if you work is selected by the committee and give the green light the rather conservative judges in the courthouse could prevent it from happening. In July of 2009 after the Public Arts Commission had approved a sculpture by  Ray King but the courthouse rejected it. Full story at Style Weekly.