Pittsfield Township's first public art project to sprout in front of administration hall
Pittsfield Township will unveil a new sculpture outside its administration building.
Tom Perkins | For AnnArbor.com
Pittsfield Township will soon unveil a new public art project outside its administration building.
Supervisor Mandy Grewal said officials hope the 10-foot by 20-foot metalwork sculpture will be ready by the end of August, though no firm timeline is in place.
The $10,000 project is funded through large donations from the Lloyd and Mable Johnson Foundation and DTE Energy Foundation and smaller donations from community donors.
The marigold sculpture will have three mosaic flower heads designed and assembled by Tricia Huffman, formerly of Pittsfield Township. Until recently moving out of state, she operated and taught at the Mended Pieces Mosiac studio on her farm in Pittsfield.
Ann Arbor artist John Walters, who is known for repurposing metal at his shop, METAL, will attend to the metalwork.
Grewal said the project fits in with the township’s master plan passed in 2011, which calls for the promotion of public gathering spaces and the incorporation of the arts to make the spaces more dynamic.
The administration building is one example. The Pittsfield Township Farmers Market recently launched there and a rain garden collects rain near the new sculpture’s site.
“We’re trying to make the administration hall a focal point. It’s for the public by the public,” Grewal said. “Also, it sort of visually demonstrates the identity and aesthetics of the community.”
Comments
Lets Get Real
Sun, Jul 21, 2013 : 12:34 a.m.
Local artist and funded with private donations. Are you watching Ann Arbor?
Basic Bob
Tue, Jul 9, 2013 : 11:05 a.m.
That should add a gawker delay on Michigan Avenue for the first week or two. Perhaps they can apply for Congestion Mitigation funding.
grye
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 4:27 p.m.
Thank goodness it's not a useless hunk of metal with flashing lights. not sure what Ann Arbor City Councel was smoking when they approved the wasted $750,000. Then again, they have mostly decriminalized "it".
Itchy
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 6:42 p.m.
Was the purchase decision made on April 1st?
Peter Eckstein
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 2 p.m.
What a waste of dollars. For the same money, Pittsfield could have had two months of the services of a full-time arts administrator!
John of Saline
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 1:31 p.m.
Nice to know it will look like something other than a helicopter crash.
Dog Guy
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 1:25 p.m.
Low cost . . . donated . . . local artists . . . public gathering space . . . I like it already.
Nicholas Urfe
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 1:23 p.m.
Why couldn't the a2 city hall have had a modest $10,000 sculpture instead of the hideous $800K monstrosity (plus very high maintenance costs)?
Itchy
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 6:41 p.m.
Egos are involved. That's why.
A2comments
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 12:12 p.m.
Outrageous! Everyone knows it's not "art" unless you spend six figures. Ridiculous! :)
Brad
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 11:57 a.m.
$10K, not $750K (not counting rain garden). Designed and built by locals. Plus their "mission" is something that you can actually understand and read without laughing out loud. Take a lesson, AA Public Art Commission. Better yet, take a hike.
Goober
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 11:17 a.m.
Smart and wise leaders in Pittsfield Township. Art paid for by donations and not by skimming tax payer money like the AA leaders have done.
motorcycleminer
Mon, Jul 8, 2013 : 11:09 a.m.
First it's " auto-go -rounds " now lawn art..the Dome spreads...