Smile Politely

SP Radio Podcast: Urban Art in the Prairie

Download and listen to this week’s podcast here.

In fall of last year, sculptures started springing up in and around downtown Champaign and a lot of people were not really sure where they were coming from. In this podcast, we give you the answer. We are joined by Eric Robeson from the Public Art League, who talks about the organization’s drive to bring new sculptures and art from across the nation to Champaign-Urbana’s public spaces. The group started up in March of 2010 and has come a long way in a very short amount of time.

We discuss:

  • Putting together agreements with the cities, the call to artist for sculptures and building a judging panel.
  • Where funding comes from for sculptures and how the art on the street leasing program works.
  • How much it costs to lease these pieces.
  • Details on some of the potential artwork that could be coming to Champaign-Urbana this year.

On Wednesday July 20, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., the Public Art League will be hosting their 2011 Sculpture Preview Party at Buvons Wine Bar in Urbana. More information is available here.

 

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