Title
Communication from Ann Arbor Public Art Commission (AAPAC) regarding the Allmendinger Park Mural
Memorandum
In October of 2011 an RFP was issued for the procurement of an artist/contractor to design, produce and install a mural upon the shelter in Allmendinger Park. In November of 2011 a Selection Panel of five reviewed fifteen artist applications. The panel conducted four interviews in December and selected Mary Thiefels. Thiefels proposed creating mural paintings between decorative mosaics upon all of the park shelter’s columns. Before creating the mural and the mosaics, a neighborhood participatory program will be conducted. The artist will collect donated objects from the neighborhood and will include them in the mosaic as embedded found objects. The total contract is for $10,000 and will be funded by Ann Arbor's percent for art program and by a private donation to the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation. The park was chosen as a site for a mural because it is centrally located and serves the surrounding neighborhood as a public place for variety of activities.
Thiefels was picked by the project’s Selection Panel through a competitive process following a call for proposals. One member of the Selection Panel is a resident of the neighborhood surrounding the park. Her art proposal described the subject matter of the artwork, as follows: “My timeless design for the Allmendinger Park will inspire all who encounter it year round. Each of the twelve pillars represents a month of the year, three pillars to a season. Seasonal activities illustrate the diversity and popularity of the park.” Thiefels specializes in murals and participatory art projects. She lives and works in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
AAPAC was founded in November 2007. AAPAC’s mission is to bring to the City of Ann Arbor public art that improves the aesthetic quality of public spaces and structures, provides for cultural and recreational opportunities, contributes to the local heritage, stimulate...
Click here for full text