Jason Thomas //October 17, 2023//
Jason Thomas //October 17, 2023//
A new art program will create a city-wide palette of public art collaborations celebrating Columbia’s access to its rivers, and also craft diverse artistic visions shared across its business and public spaces.
Mayor Daniel J. Rickenmann recently announced the new Columbia Streams Art public art program during a public ceremony at Boyd Plaza, according to a news release. During the ceremony, Rickenmann revealed a leaping trout sculpture painted in the colors of the City of Columbia flag, a large-scale urban canvas featuring art from Columbia area artists as well as images streamed digitally from artists in Columbia’s sister city of Kaiserslautern, Germany, and three vibrantly painted reproduction newspaper vending machines that will become community lending libraries.
“The fabric of Columbia is vibrant with streams of creativity flowing from every direction,” said Mayor Daniel J. Rickenmann. “As more are choosing to live, work, and play in our community, we want to ensure there are new, exciting, and thought-provoking public art installations for all to enjoy and contribute to. Columbia Streams Art is another stream for local artists of all ages to contribute to our bustling public art scene.”
Speaking during the presentation with Rickenmann were Columbia Museum of Art Executive Director Della Watkins, and Stormwater Studios artist Stephen Chesley, who shared perspectives of how public displays of art invigorate our public spaces, and reflect multiple aspects of our culture, the release stated.
Columbia Streams Art is a multi-faceted arts program designed to engage Columbia’s creative community by inviting local artists and students to express their imaginations through unique projects for display throughout the city. Components of the Columbia Streams Art public art program will include: