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Date: 1/2/2024
HOLYOKE — In continued efforts of revitalizing the downtown area, the city of Holyoke is inviting local artists to apply for a chance to create a new sculpture to be displayed on Main Street.
The application invites artists from all backgrounds and experiences to submit proposals for the Making it Public: temporary public art project. This initiative aims to celebrate the rich cultural heritage and diversity of Holyoke.
The selected artist will have the opportunity to create a vibrant and iconic piece of art that reflects the city’s history, culture and community.
The sculpture will be displayed on Main Street, somewhere between the I-391 exit and Lyman Street. The exact location will be decided at a later date. Artists are encouraged to capture the essence of Holyoke’s rich history including its Puerto Rican and Irish cultures, volleyball and its status as the “Paper City.”
“The artwork should become an iconic symbol that support our tourism efforts in the city. We envision a temporary sculpture that can create a strong visible presence in the area,” the application states.
The city of Holyoke is committing $12,000 to support the selected artists. That artist will be paid in four increments of $3,000 for their work. The city and the El Corazon Project will support site selection, installation and backing throughout the project. The city is also offering a location/studio for the artist to work on the project if needed.
The city is also involving the community in the design process and project development. A community collaboration portion for the project will be conducted by the artist and selection committee, to gather input directly from residents and ensure that the artwork resonates with the community.
The city said this call for artists was inspired by the collaborative mural projects such as “La cultura es Poder” created by Colectivo MoriVivir from Puerto Rico in partnership with Holyoke youth.
Those interested have until Jan. 31 to apply and the awardee will be announced on Feb. 14. Shortly after the selected artist will begin meeting with the committee before a five-phase plan to design and install the sculpture before a community reveal party targeted for early June.
To ensure equity and fairness in the selection process, the concept creation team, consisting of members of City Hall, Nueva Esperanza, and Enlace are dedicated to creating a selection committee that is unbiased and reflective of the community.
Interested parties can reach out to Mass in Motion Coordinator Stephanie Colón at mimcoordinator@Holyoke.org for more information.