Cleveland to go to the pigs, with artists' help

Submitted by Norm Roulet on Wed, 10/11/2006 - 13:50.

 

One could safely say, before Cleveland went to the dogs it went to the pigs... but, that is a whole other story. Today, the dogs and pigs I'm talking about relate to the public arts series sponsored by the St. Clair Superior Development Corporation to have local artists paint fiberglass sculptures recognizing the animals of the Chinese zodiac - this year was of the dog... next year is of the pig. Much more interesting than the painted guitars concept, these animal forms offer great creative opportunities for artists and the results of the year of the dog efforts were extraordinary - you may see many of them posted here. So, if you are artistic or know someone who is, check out the following details on designing new pigs for Cleveland... below

Call to Artists - Project: Year of the Pig

What is the Year of the Pig Project?

St. Clair Superior Development Corporation (SCSDC) welcomes the 2007 Year of the Pig
celebration to the St. Clair Superior neighborhood! This is a public art exhibition that places
fiberglass pig sculptures, designed and created by local artists, throughout the St. Clair Superior neighborhood for the public to view and interact with.

Pigs will be placed outside in the public realm as well as inside local business establishments.

Pig sculptures located inside businesses will be piggy banks that the public will be able to contribute money to benefit the charity of the sponsor’s choice and toward marketing, signage and planning for Cleveland's AsiaTown. The goal of this project is to promote investment in St. Clair Superior neighborhood, promote cultural awareness and support local artists.

To make each pig sculpture a unique work of art, each artist is challenged and inspired by cultural influences, their personal history, and their own interpretation of the piggy bank as an object of art. Artists will be paid an honorarium of $350.00 plus 20% of the auction sale price on your work.
                                                

For further information on the application process , download this PDF file with application, visit the St. Clair Superior website and feel free to contact:
                                             

Katharyne Starinsky at 216.881.0644 or kstarinsky [at] stclairsuperior [dot] org.

Project Timeline
     October 9, 2006        Call to Artists Released
     November 10, 2006      Artist Proposal Submissions Due
     December 13, 2006      Committee Announces Selected Proposals
     December 15, 2006      Artist Portfolio of Designs Complete
     January 3, 2007        Pig sculpture molds given to Artists
     February 6, 2007       Two pigs compete for placement at Asia Plaza
     February 18, 2007      Chinese New Year Begins
     March 2, 2007          Completed Pigs DUE to SCSDC
     April, 2007            Unveiling of the Pigs
     May, 2007              Pigs Installed in the Neighborhood
     May-September, 2007    Free Family Events
     September, 2007        Pigs Returned to Artists for Touch Ups
     September, 2007        Auction Event 

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Viktor Schreckengost designing the pig

I heard somewhere, I think in the PD, that Viktor Schreckengost is designing the pig that the artists will be decorating. This should make it an extra exciting public art project.

It's a Swine Time in the St. Clair Superior neighborhood!

The Year of the Pig pubic art project is in full swing!  Meet each unique pig and explore an Authentic Cleveland neighborhood...

 

Forty life-size fiberglass swine sculptures painted by thirty-three different Northeast Ohio artists are on display throughout the St. Clair Superior neighborhood and AsiaTown (www.asiatowncleveland.com) this summer to celebrate Year of the Pig.  What makes these sculptures even more unique is that the sculpture form is designed by National Medal of Arts recipient, Viktor Schreckengost.  The Cleveland Institute of Art's Industrial Design department converted Mr. Schreckengost's original watercolor into a 3-D form to create the sculptures.  No more than 50 of these sculptures will be produced.

To get a map/list of the pig locations, go to www.stclairsuperior.org to access The Plain Dealer's interactive pig map that includes each pig's portrait.  Or, you can pick up a map at any of the of the following pig sculptures:

  • Cleveland City Hall - 601 Lakeside
  • National City Bank - 4005 Chester
  • Siam Cafe - 3945 St. Clair
  • Graphic Arts Center (Consolidated Graphics Group) - 1614 East 40th
  • Cleveland Museum of Natural History - 1 Wade Oval Drive
  • The Plain Dealer - 1801 Superior (back entrance off E 18th)

Maps are also available at various local businesses and at 4205 St. Clair Avenue.  A list of artists, sponsors and locations is also in the July 2007 issue of Northern Ohio Live magazine.

 

Pig Related Events Include:

  • Saturday, July 28 - a Scavenger Hunt will be held in the neighborhood, which is sure to include the pigs!  The event starts at The Town Fryer (2859 Superior) at Noon.
  • Saturday, September 29 - Year of the Pig Auction, this is your chance to bid-to-win a pig sculpture.  All proceeds from the auction support St. Clair Superior Development Corporation's arts and culture projects.
  • Visit www.stclairsuperior.org for event details and neighborhood information.

Check out www.stclairsuperior.blogspot.com to learn more about the many things to do in the St. Clair Superior neighborhood.