Allen County Bicentennial Executive Board opens applications for sculpture project

The Allen County Bicentennial Executive Board is looking for 15 artists or artist teams for a project called the ‘I’ Am Allen sculpture project. Artists are invited to submit their qualifications for consideration. The artist application is posted on Allen County’s website, and the deadline for artists to apply is May 31, 2024. Selected artists will paint murals on fiberglass sculptures.

The sculptures are part of a public art project meant to symbolize Allen County's 200th anniversary. Each sculpture will be painted with a theme that celebrates the unique communities within Allen County.

In collaboration with community members, The Allen County Bicentennial Board is developing creative briefs, that highlight community assets, tell Allen County’s story, educate visitors, and celebrate Allen County. 

In the late summer and early fall of 2024, artists will be hired to paint murals on their assigned sculptures. After they are painted, these sculptures will be installed outdoors in high-profile locations throughout Allen County in the following communities: Harlan, Hoagland, Zanesville, Monroeville, Leo-Cedarville, Huntertown, Grabill, Woodburn, New Haven, and Fort Wayne. 

Allen County's Bicentennial Executive Board, Allen County Board of Commissioners, Visit Fort Wayne, Greater Fort Wayne Inc., Fort Wayne Community Foundation, and NewAllen Alliance are leading the ‘I’ Am Allen sculpture project with support from Alexandra Hall, owner of A H Public Spaces Consulting, LLC.

Public art activates public spaces, and it creates a cultural destination. An educational project, like this, helps us tell Allen County’s story and engage with an audience while visitors move from business to business within our communities,” says Hall. “Indiana is filled with talented artists, and we look forward to seeing what the creatives in this community do with these sculptures.”

Allen County is funding a portion of the sculpture project. Additional funding will come from corporate sponsorships. The Community Foundation will serve as the fiscal agent for the initiative.
 
Sponsorship opportunities for this project are still available. To learn more about sponsorship, contact Irene Walters. To contribute, visit the secure donation page hosted by the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne.

Interested artists or artist teams should visit Allen County’s website.
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Brittany Lantz is Input Fort Wayne's Managing Editor. Previously she served as Assistant Editor and participated in the College Input Program. She also volunteers for Northeast Indiana Public Radio.