Lewes Public Art Committee sculpting future projects

Heidi Lowe, chair of the Lewes Public Art Committee, is making it a priority to engage with the public. During a March 1 public workshop, the committee discussed future initiatives aimed at educating the public and encouraging active participation. 

“We’re just looking for ideas and ways of thinking that [people] have seen in other places that work,” Lowe said.

One of the major highlights is an upcoming bus trip to Glenstone scheduled for Thursday, April 13. Committee member Carol Somers chose the Potomac, Md. site after researching several within a reasonable distance. 

Lowe emphasized the importance of public engagement. One project she saw was in El Paso, Texas, called “chalk the block.” Lowe detailed how a block of city street could be purchased, and artists can create different scenes and images. 

Some members feel it is important for Lewes to incorporate historical, nautical and local themes into exhibits. Lowe mentioned partnering with the Lewes Historical Society to learn how to make repairs to historical artifacts and pieces of art. Committee member Denise Emery felt strongly about working to bring an appropriately sized statue or sculpture to Shipcarpenter Square, paying respect to the location’s historic ties to baseball. 

Baseball, among other things, was something enjoyed by African Americans at the site during the time of segregation. Former Mayor Otis Smith, who owned and operated the old fish factories, had purchased the land and rented it for $1 a year to encourage the Black community to use it as they pleased. Emery said she would like to see a small bench, glove, baseball or bat placed near the sign.

Moving beyond history, Lowe brought up the idea of turning benches into pieces of art. She said during a trip to Zurich, Switzerland, she noticed a variety of bench work. Some were made from scratch, while others were decorated. It appeared to her that the benches were made by professionals and amateurs alike.

Sumner Crosby, who attended the workshop, supported the idea of benches and brought up ideal locations such as along the trails.

Somers agreed, adding that there could be whimsical or nature-themed pieces of art along the trail. Tony Boyd-Heron and Sue Sandmeyer, members of Art in Bloom, were in attendance and actively engaged in the conversation. Boyd-Heron agreed with the suggestion of adding art to the trails and expanded on it by suggesting the trails are an ideal place for sculptures. Sandmeyer sees a lot of interest linking Art in Bloom and the public art committee.

Reeves, a non-voting member of the committee, said she believes it's important to find activities for children. It was proposed to find a wall or section of fence and provide materials to young artists, whose approach could lead to uninhibited exhibitions.   The committee will meet at 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 22. The agenda and meeting link are at lewes.civicweb.net.