Americans for the Arts has honored "This Neighborhood Is ..." among 50 outstanding public arts projects created in 2018 through the Public Art Network Year in Review program, a national program that specifically recognizes compelling public art. Chosen by public art experts, the roster of selected projects was unveiled on June 14 at Americans for the Arts' annual convention in Minneapolis. This is the 18th year that Americans for the Arts has recognized public art works.
The mural, a public art project led by Lancaster residents Salina Almanzar and Osmyn Oree, was installed on the façade of the Water Street Mission along South Water Street, across from Culliton Park, in September 2018. Residents were invited to finish the sentence "This neighborhood is" and sit for a portrait.
Over three days in September, Almanzar and Oree, along with volunteers from the community, installed 20 portraits and 25 responses on the wall of the Water Street Mission. All participants were invited to help install the mural. Volunteers were provided lunch during each day of installation and were gifted a free print of their portrait as a thank-you.
The mural was the final product of four months of community engagement regarding the renovation of Culliton Park.
Two independent public art experts - artist Seitu Jones of St. Paul, Minn., and Aaron Ott, curator of public art at Albirght Knox Art Gallery in Buffalo, N.Y. - discussed the trends they uncovered while examining hundreds of submissions in selecting this year's choices for the most exemplary, innovative permanent or temporary public art works created or debuted in 2018.
More information is available at http://www.lancasterpublicart.com.
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