Shining a fresh light on Urban Space
Everyday by Luke Wynne
Experience the Art of Urban Environments Festival, an outdoor exhibit of multi-media sculptures along the streets, streams and bridges of Lafayette College’s scenic campus and historic Easton, PA. From the Love Motel for Insects, which offers an intimate look at the mating habits of bugs, to a giant nest made from bits of cloth, to the suspension of broken umbrellas above the Bushkill Creek, the art installations were created exclusively for the six-month festival as part of an international competition. Music and theater performances are held on Saturdays throughout the event, which is one of only 21 projects across the country that received a grant from the National Endowment of the Arts in celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Mayors’ Institute on City Design.
The 11 art installations are spread throughout the city and the College’s art campus on North Third Street and can be viewed by taking a self-guided driving tour. Maps can be downloaded from this site or picked up at the Arts Community of Easton’s booth at the Easton Farmer’s Market.
Competition
Artists from all disciplines were invited to submit proposals for art installations that transform urban sites into lively, beautiful and sustainable places. The festival received 68 submissions and 10 projects were selected by a jury of residents, artists and community leaders. (Grass Wall is in two locations) The artists then received funding from the National Endowment for the Arts grant to create and install their pieces.
1. what happened to the pictures on the fence at the community center?
2. i’ve spent hours looking for the grass walls. this week i will make one more attempt. any hints that could help me?
if you do anything like this again, pls have better markers and maps.
Hi Cathy,
Luke Wynne’s photos are on the fence across the street from the community center. Unfortunately, the grass walls didn’t thrive at their original locations so we rebuilt the one in front of the Williams Center for the Arts on Lafayette’s campus. I apologize for neglecting to post that on the web. Thank you for your interest in the festival. We are having a closing reception on Friday, Oct. 7 from 4:30-6 p.m. in the Arts Plaza on North Third Street. Please consider attending. It would be nice to meet you. Best, Kathleen Parrish (parrishk@lafayette.edu)