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September Issue 2003
Public Art Project Reflects Culture of Aiken, SC
The art community in Aiken, SC, makes public the state's newest large-scale public art project on Oct. 4 with Horseplay Unveiled, a free event at the Newberry Festival Center in the heart of historic downtown Aiken.
The city's growing interest in the arts inspired the project, titled Horseplay, which naturally reflects the city's historic status as an equestrian center. Horse towns like Lexington, KY, Saratoga Springs, NY, and Ocala, FL, successfully hosted projects using the horse as the artist's empty canvas.
Anne Campbell of Dogwood Stable in Aiken visited these cities to learn about their public art projects. Campbell said she knew the Aiken community would embrace an event of its own. She and project chairman Bill Reynolds got to work by forming a committee to plan Horseplay and secure funding.
About 30 local sponsors volunteered to purchase life-size fiberglass models of horses and provide the honoraria for the selected artists. Over 130 artists from South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia responded to the call for artists by submitting proposed ideas for creating artwork on the horses.
At Horseplay Unveiled from 11am to 3pm on Oct. 4, the public can peruse the completed horses, participate in arts competitions and activities, watch a live horse and carriage parade, and listen to live bluegrass performed by Savannah River Grass and jazz by Preston & Weston.
After the public unveiling event, the horses will be located in highly visible locations throughout the city. The public exhibit of the horses is expected to generate tourism from Oct. to Mar. 19, 2004, when the horses will be sold at auction by a professional horse auctioneer.
Horseplay was created through a partnership among Aiken Center for the Arts, United Way of Aiken County, and the City of Aiken. The city helped to make the project financially feasible and is assisting planners in managing public events. The balance of work is conducted by a large volunteer force.
Horseplay is expected to raise between $100,000 and $150,000 through event income as well as merchandise and auction sales. Proceeds will enable qualifying seniors and children to participate in art programs at Aiken Center for the Arts through scholarships.
For a full list of artists, additional details, and directions, visit (www.horseplay.org).
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