Artists to present, discuss their work in public forum at the ‘Ave’

September 18, 2009 6:15 pm
Auburn's public artists will discuss their work in a forum Thursday at the historic 'Ave.'
Auburn's public artists will discuss their work in a forum Thursday at the historic 'Ave.'

A group of nine nationally and internationally recognized public artists will discuss their artwork in the Walk the Talk: Public Art in Auburn presentation on Thursday, Sept. 24.

The artists’ panel discussion is part of the Auburn’s Art in Public Places Program, which recognizes and celebrates the City of Auburn Art Commission’s 25th anniversary.

The discussion will take place 6-7:30 p.m. at the Auburn Avenue Theater, 10 Auburn Ave. Before the panel discussion participants are invited to join a guided walking tour of the downtown public art collection beginning at 5 p.m.

The program is free and open to the public.

The 90-minute panel discussion, moderated by Heather Dwyer of 4Culture/King County Cultural Arts Authority, will explore various topics regarding public art from the artists’ perspective through the lens of the artwork created for Auburn’s collection.

Artists will share memories, inspirations and context of the well-loved public artworks they created for the City of Auburn. From the very first public art project 15 years ago to the current project in development, the public can learn more about the artists and their work.

Artists participating include (artwork title and date following):

• Meg Pettibone, Steelhead, 1989

• Michele Van Slyke, Every Year the Salmon Return, 1993

• Garth Edwards, B-Street Plaza, 1995

• Gerard Tsutakawa, Sun Circle, 1996

• Phillip Levine, Threshold, 2001

• Ingrid Lahti, Les Gove Community Campus Entry, 2005

• Darel Grothaus, Evergreen-Washelli: Seattle (portable work), 2005

• Susan Zoccola, Swing and Flight, 2009

• Virginia Paquette, In progress (Community Center Integrated Artwork)

Images of these artworks can be found at www.auburnwa.gov/arts or the Art Commission’s Flickr site www.flickr.com/groups/auburnarts/.

Following the panel discussion participants are invited to join a guided walking tour of the downtown public art collection.

The program is presented by the Auburn Arts Commission and Auburn Parks, Arts & Recreation and generously supported by 4Culture.

For additional information, visit www.auburnwa.gov/arts or call 253-931-3043.