Four local winners were recognized as Golden Paintbrush Award winners by the City of Ann Arbor’s Public Art Commission. The commission states, “The Golden Paintbrush Award recognizes adults, children and organizations who have encouraged creativity in Ann Arbor’s publicly visible spaces.”
After a community-wide vote, the winners were as follows: the Ann Arbor Art Center, David Zinn, Ann Arbor Public Schools, and Ann Arbor residents who designed the “I Voted” stickers.
The Ann Arbor Art Center put together their idea of the A2AC Murals Project and the Artbox program. The city of Ann Arbor stated, “A2AC Murals is the culmination of pairing downtown building and business owners with local, regional, and national artists who transformed the building walls into spectacular expressions of their skill—providing the community and visitors the opportunity to experience and enjoy these large, vibrant works of public art. A2AC Murals is made possible by the Lucie & Larry Nisson Art in Public Program.”
A2AC has provided a map of the murals in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti to allow for a mural walk. This map can be found HERE.
Youth Art Month Installations in March are meant to encourage creativity. Photo courtesy of a2gov.org.
David Zing’s “Singing in the Rain” mural (located on the entrance to the underground parking structure on S. 5th Ave. in downtown Ann Arbor) is of actor Gene Kelly singing and dancing in the iconic movie scene – incorporating a real lamppost into the mural. Why Gene Kelly? Gene’s daughter, Kerry Kelly Noviak, is a longtime Ann Arbor resident.
Ann Arbor Public Schools paired with Youth Art Month installations (occurs annually, in March) on their winning entry. Their purpose was to bring attention to the youth’s creativity and new innovative perspectives they might have.
Ann Arbor’s City Clerk’s Office, with support from the Ann Arbor Public Art Commission, sought out local artists, including students, to design the City’s 2020 “I Voted” stickers.
The mission of the Ann Arbor Art Commission is to be, “an advisory body to City Council with the goal of creating public art in Ann Arbor that improves the aesthetic quality of public spaces and structures and provides cultural and recreational opportunities that contribute to local heritage, stimulates economic and promotes the general welfare of the community.”
The Ann Arbor Art Commission has also established a virtual tour of public art in Ann Arbor. Learn more about each piece and the artist behind it. It can also work as a digital guide if used on your smartphone.
