The High Point Market Authority (HPMA) reports that it has once again partnered with the Southwest Renewal Foundation, the High Point Convention & Visitors Bureau, the Theatre Art Galleries (TAG), and the City of High Point to present year two of the High Point City Art Project.

Year two will feature three kinetic sculptures by Carrboro, NC, artist Mike Roig and one piece from Atlanta artist Phil Proctor. Kinetic means that the sculptures move with the wind. Proctor’s sculpture, “Comet”, stands 12 feet tall and weighs about 2,000 pounds. It was installed on March 29 on W. Commerce Street adjacent to the Natuzzi building. Roig’s pieces include “Chalice” and “Passionatus”, both of which weigh in at around 600 pounds and stand 10 feet tall, and “Beautiful Whirled”, which weighs 1,400 pounds and is 15 feet tall. Two of Roig’s pieces will be placed in the pocket park in front of the Steele Building at the intersection of Hamilton Ave, English Avenue, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, and the third piece will be placed across from the headquarters of Stanley Furniture at Hamilton Ave and English Ave.

Preparation of the sites for the remaining three pieces has begun and installation will occur on April 6. “Due to the size and movement of the sculptures, we had to design and construct reinforced concrete bases for support and to allow for the addition of an engineered anchoring system. This design allows the base to be used multiple times for displaying multiple pieces,” explained Tim McKinney, Director of Facilities for the City of High Point. McKinney’s department began preparing the sites on March 21, allowing enough time for the platforms to cure before sculpture installation.

“The Southwest Renewal Foundation is excited to be organizing and sponsoring year two of the High Point Public Art Project in the Market district, partnering again this year with the High Point Market Authority and City of High Point,” commented Dorothy Darr, executive director of the Southwest Renewal Foundation. “We believe that public art improves design, appeal and accessibility of public spaces of all kinds, enhancing their social and practical uses and potentiates other concurrent events and activities in town to create an environment of greater interest and appreciation for our Market visitors, as well as for residents and tourists. We are honored to be exhibiting this year the kinetic art of North Carolina artist Mike Roig and Atlanta artist Phil Proctor.”

In addition to the local community, these sculptures will be appreciated by a world-wide audience twice yearly during High Point Market.

Approximately 75,000 people attend Market each year, of which approximately 10% are international visitors from over 100 different countries. All four sculptures will be placed in the Market district and will be on display in time for the April Market, April 16-20, 2016.

“This is a very exciting addition to the landscape of High Point,” commented Tom Conley, president and CEO of the High Point Market Authority. “Our Market attendees will enjoy it immensely, and it goes a long way in promoting High Point as a city to them.”

Funds for this project were raised by the Southwest Renewal Foundation. Supporters include the High Point Convention and Visitors Bureau, the High Point Arts Council, the High Point Market Authority, the Theatre Art Galleries (TAG), the Hayden-Harman Foundation, High Point Bank & Trust, and City Project, Inc.

The sculptures will remain in place for 12 months, or until they sell, at which time both artists have agreed to bring in another piece as a replacement at no extra cost. The Southwest Renewal Foundation will receive a commission fee if any of the sculptures on display are sold, which will then be used to fund future public art exhibitions.

The inaugural City Art Project debuted in October 2014. It featured seven locations throughout downtown High Point, including three in the Market district, and displayed outdoor stone sculptures from local artist Charles B. “Chuck” Foster. Since their debut, two sculptures have sold and one has been leased for an additional year.

Looking ahead, the City of High Point has tasked the Southwest Renewal Foundation with developing a master plan of 20 potential locations in High Point at which public art, either in exhibition or as permanent pieces, can be featured. Darr plans to convene a committee this spring to begin this process.

(Source: Furniture World Magazine)