Massachusetts-based artist Catherine Widgery has been selected to take on a $360,000 public art project at the site of the new Stadium bridges in Ann Arbor.
City officials said the artist’s proposed concept — “Arbor Winds” — was supported by community feedback conducted by the Public Art Commission and the project selection panel.
Widgery’s concept incorporates images of trees etched onto stone and glass panels. The images were taken from photos of trees in Ann Arbor along city streets and in Nichols Arboretum.
The stone etchings are expected to be mounted to the bridge underpass. The glass etchings will be included on a sculptural wind screen, or possibly on other sculptural, functional and design elements applied at the site, depending on the revisions to the current design, city officials said.
Aaron Seagraves, the city’s public art administrator, said the commission and selection panel plan to work with Widgery to refine the concept to a final design before it can be offered for final approval by the Public Art Commission and the City Council.
Widgery proposed having each tree panel lit at night by LED fixtures. Additionally, Widgery proposed a series of eight banners attached to the streetlight poles on the bridge itself — banners consisting of several 6-inch squares of etched acrylic held in aluminum frames welded together.
View more images of her proposal and other finalists’ proposals
Funding for the project is coming from the city’s pooled public art fund. The budget for the design, fabrication and installation is $360,000.
City officials said Widgery has a well-established record working on public art projects, having completed more than 30 works in public spaces, most recently in Toronto and Denver.
She has created several works with public infrastructure, including bridges, and has been recognized multiple times for creating an outstanding public artwork by the Americans for the Arts.
For more information on public art in Ann Arbor, visit www.a2gov.org/aapac.
Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com’s email newsletters.