Calling all artists with a penchant for the skies and a knack for monumental sculpture – Hickory's Aviation Walk is in the market for a new visually arresting piece. The City of Hickory’s Public Art Commission (PAC) is inviting creatives to leave their mark at the gateway to the Hickory Aviation Museum. This outdoor art must not only capture the spirit of aviation but also resonate with the local community's pulse.
Got ideas ready to take flight? The PAC is all ears to professional artists and designers who have weathered the storm – quite literally. Applicants thrown off course by Hurricane Helene, but based in the storm-hit western North Carolina region, may find an opportunity for artful uplift here. Clear for takeoff, these artists are encouraged to let their creative prowess soar and submit proposals by the June 10th deadline.
As reported by the City of Hickory, "The work will be a sculpture placed near the entrance to the new Hickory Aviation Museum at Hickory Regional Airport and will be visible from public streets and pedestrian walkways, free of any admission fee." Furthermore, they accentuate the desire for submissions that prominently feature "community, creativity, artistry, and craftsmanship."
In a move that emphasizes community involvement, the PAC will work closely with the chosen artist, navigating the conceptual blueprints and implementing a design that is intrinsically linked to aviation and reflects the Hickory and Catawba County region's ethos. With a tribute to the skies destined to break ground near public thoroughfares, accessibility is a given – an absolute zero on the admission fee front.
If you're ready to buckle up and join this artistic mission, fire up those design engines and send your application to the PAC. Electronic entries blast off to [email protected], or if you're fond of the old-fashioned way, snail mail them to the City of Hickory Public Art Commission at P.O. Box 398, Hickory, NC 28603. "Interested artists must submit an application, including a statement of interest, work samples, resumes, and references, by 5 p.m. on June 10," according to instructions provided on the City of Hickory's website.
The final selection will be rocketed to the top of the Public Art Commission's agenda. The artist, with an artistic vision given wings, will be notified by June 12 and is expected to deliver the completed project before fall leaves start to crunch underfoot in 2025.
