New Sturgeon Bay Street Art Projects Planned for 2016

The Sturgeon Bay Visitor Center (SBVC) has announced two new Street Art Projects for 2016. Benches by the Bay and Sites in the City invite artists to participate in a unique collaboration of art and community that will beautify the streets of Sturgeon Bay.

“Our Street Art Project has always focused on decorative garden art. For 2016, we felt it was important to freshen things up a bit,” shares Pam Seiler, Executive Director of the Sturgeon Bay Visitor Center. “After researching functional options, benches really spoke to us as a fun and exciting subject for artists to work with.”

Sites in the City will digitally translate 25 selected paintings into eye-catching light pole banners that will be displayed throughout the city. Using the theme “For the Love of Sturgeon Bay,” artists are encouraged to submit a two-dimensional acrylic, oil or watercolor painting depicting what they appreciate most about Sturgeon Bay. Appropriate subject matter may include Sturgeon Bay landmarks, attractions, landscapes, and history. “This project will allow us to replace our dated light pole banners with fresh, vibrant art that reflects the unique and treasured aspects of our beautiful community,” states Seiler.

The Artists Guild of Sturgeon Bay has donated 35 canvases to the Sites in the City project that are currently available at the Sturgeon Bay Visitor Center to interested artists on a first come, first served basis. A $25 deposit is required to ascertain a canvas, but it will be refunded when the finished art is returned. From the 35 finished pieces, 25 will be selected by a panel of judges from the Door County art community and translated into banners. A $50 stipend will be awarded to the artists of the 25 selected entries. Additional prize money will be awarded to the top three pieces chosen by the judges. The original 25 paintings will be exhibited at sponsoring Sturgeon Bay businesses throughout summer. Sites in the City original artwork raffle tickets will be available for each piece, and winners will be picked on Aug. 15, 2016. All proceeds from the raffle will go to benefit the Sturgeon Bay Visitor Center.

Participating Benches by the Bay artists will have the choice to embellish, adorn and enhance a cedar bench provided by the SBVC or create one of their own. As always, the finished creation must be weather-resistant in order to withstand the elements while on display from mid-May leading up to the live auction following Harvest Festival on Sept. 17, 2016. Proceeds from the auction go to benefit the artist and the SBVC. Anyone interested in participating is asked to submit a proposal by January 15, 2016 in order to be considered for inclusion. For more information, call 920.743.6246 or visit the SBVC at 36 S. Third Avenue.