Johnson City is taking art to the streets, or more accurately, to the parks and intersections. According to a recent release on Johnson City's official website, there’s a chance for the art-curious and sculpture lovers alike to walk-and-talk with the Phil Pindzola Biennial Sculpture Exhibition juror, Allison Baker. This event, kicking off on the evening of September 4 at Founders Park, promises to give attendees the lowdown on the outdoor installations gracing the cityscape. A stroll is pegged for 5:30 p.m., with the meeting point being the functional, if not quaint, restrooms at The Pavilion.
Here’s the skinny: this isn’t just any exhibition. The 15 sculptures dotted around town aren’t permanent fixtures; they're up for grabs, marking a blend of temporary exhibition and high-end yard sale. Each piece, which was planted in the green spaces of Johnson City early this summer, will stand sentinel for two years—a period that art advocates say defines both Founders Park and the surrounding concrete jungle. And as for location, some of these hulking beauties stand at prominent intersections in the north section of the city—not exactly where you’d expect to find potential gallery pieces. "This is a wonderful opportunity for residents and visitors to ask questions and learn more about the stories behind the artwork that we're hosting in the heart of Johnson City for the next two years," Jocelyn Mathewes, chair of the Johnson City Public Art Committee, told the city’s official website.
Baker, the guiding hand behind the tour, is no slouch in the art world. You may peg her as an associate professor at the Herron School of Art at Indiana University, Indianapolis, or recognize her work from international exhibition fame. The fine art heavyweight and first-generation college grad earned her MFA at Rhode Island School of Design—a pedigree that's reflected in her art and curation.
As for the sculptures themselves, it's a medley of leased pieces, each with a price tag, at various high-traffic locations. It’s a tale old as time: art needs funding, and these sculptures are counting on grants, private donations, and perhaps the impulse buy from a well-heeled patron. Should you be in a beneficent mood, or simply looking to spruce up your estate, any sculpture you take a shine to can be yours—or you can play the part of the modern-day Medici and donate it to the city. Pieces are scattered at the intersections of North Roan Street and John Exum Parkway, among others, making for an actual crossroads of art and daily life.
Johnson City Public Art’s range of efforts brings a fresh taste of culture to a population more often faced with mundane commutes and cookie-cutter cityscapes. If you've a hankering for the arts, the ability to spot which pieces might tie the room together, or just the simple desire to see what makes the city tick, this walk with Allison Baker might just sculpt an evening to remember. And for those averse to exercise, take note: the walking part is billed as "easily accessible by foot," so leave the excuses at home.
