THREE WINNERS OF MANHOLE COVER
ART PROJECT ANNOUNCED
The three final winners are:
Laurie Borggreve of Edina, MN for “Horizon”:
Taylor Mentzer of Ann Arbor for “Kayak”:
and Shaun Whitehouse of Ann Arbor for “Tower and Tree”:
The public viewed six semi-finalists online, voted for one, and determined the final three winners. Each winner will receive a $1000 stipend from the City of Ann Arbor. Each of the three winning designs will be produced for approximately two years on new cast iron manhole covers installed throughout the City.
Contracted by the City of Ann Arbor to develop and manage an artwork selection process that includes a high level of public engagement, the Ann Arbor Art Center guided a call that was open to artists of all ages, throughout the world. More than 240 submissions were juried by an Advisory Committee comprised of local professional artists, arts educators and business and community leaders. The jurying process led to a portfolio of six semi-finalists which were presented to the public for their votes. Nearly 3000 votes were cast in the final stage.
All submitted designs were assessed on a wide range of criteria including aesthetics, feasibility of design to be produced in cast iron, and fidelity to the community values and attributes of Ann Arbor. Four of the six semi-finalists were from Ann Arbor.