artirondack
 HURON, OH 1809-2009

ARTirondack, Huron’s first public art project, was born in celebration of our community—its 200th birthday, as well as its rich heritage of land, lake, river and life.  Our ARTirondacks provide a blank canvas for amazing local artists to showcase their talents in transforming a chair into a unique painting.  This chair, a symbol of comfort and relaxation, is popular along our shores and in our yards. ARTirondack has inspired a variety of interpretations from historical to current, specific to universal.  Each tells a story.

Why a Public Art Project?  According to Newport News Public Art’s Council, “Public art’s impact on a community has been shown to be surprising and wonderful.  Public art can enhance our public spaces, arouse our thinking, and transform the places where we live, work, and play into more welcoming and beautiful environments. Public art can make strangers talk, children ask questions, and calm a hurried life. It enhances the quality of life by encouraging a heightened sense of place and by introducing people to works of art that can touch them and generations to come.”  These projects have enhanced communities across the country.  Now Huron can join the ranks!! 

This bicentennial year local businesses, organizations, and individuals stepped up to the plate with twenty five sponsorships for this project.  Twenty one local artists (some painted two chairs) were selected for the project based upon the creativity, aesthetics and originality of their designs.  The completed ARTirondacks will be on display throughout the community until August 11th when the project is culminated with a public auction.  Each sponsor will select the beneficiary of the proceeds of their chair.  Detailed maps showing the location of each chair, its name, its artist and sponsor are available.

One chair, sponsored by the Bicentennial Committee, will represent ARTirondack throughout the community all summer, with raffle tickets available to the public.  When it is not “on the road” it will be on exhibit at the Huron Chamber of Commerce office.  The winning ticket will be drawn at the August auction.

Being involved in this project has been work, fun, but moreover a great pleasure for the entire committee.  A special thanks goes to Joyce Leimbach and “A Light in the Harbor” Committee who produced the exciting 2008 Lighthouse Public Art Project in Sandusky.  Their help was invaluable!! On behalf of everyone—the ARTirondack Project, its artists, sponsors, volunteers and the Bicentennial Committee, we thank all who have made Huron’s ARTirondack Public Art Project a

“seat” of success!