Pedestrians walk on the completed East Stadium Boulevard bridges.
Daniel Brenner I AnnArbor.com
As a part of a public art and urban intervention course, Penny W. Stamps School of Art and Design professor Roland Graf has tasked his students with designing artworks that could fit into the two locations.
The class, composed mostly of first- and second-year students studying design, art and architecture, will present its mock proposals in city hall on Thursday. A review panel includes artist Mary Theifels, the city's administrator for public art Aaron Seagraves and Public Art Commission members Bob Miller and John Kotarski.
The assignment leverages a local process to help students envision public art in practice. The students must ask: Is the art durable enough? Is it within budget?
"I had them research what the real requirements are," says Graf, who did offer his students some leniency, such as letting them create temporary installations even though the city is calling for permanent installations. "They don't have much experience, everything is new, and they don't know how to deal with budgets."
The project also introduces the students to objective feedback outside academia, an experience that can be rare for young artists in training, Graf said.
Although the city's proposal deadline for public art near the East Stadium Boulevard bridge has passed, Graf could think of at least one proposal that, with some refinement, might have been a real contender.
On Thursday afternoon, when the presentation begins at 1:30 p.m. in City Council chambers, he'll see if commission members agree.
"I expect a very eclectic mix of projects," Graf said.
Kellie Woodhouse covers higher education for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at kelliewoodhouse@annarbor.com or 734-623-4602 and follow her on twitter.