Lexington, August 25, 2025
News Summary
Lexington’s Public Arts Commission invites local artists to propose designs for beautifying approximately 400 utility boxes throughout the city. This initiative aims to enhance community aesthetics and engage local talent, with proposals due by September 15. Artists will create vinyl wraps that transform the gray boxes, reflecting the city’s commitment to art and community engagement, continuing the project through 2025.
Lexington is inviting local artists to take part in an initiative aimed at enhancing the city’s aesthetic appeal through public art. The city’s Public Arts Commission has announced a call for proposals to decorate approximately 400 utility boxes situated at street corners across Lexington. This public art project aims to beautify these gray metal boxes in areas that currently lack public art.
The collaboration with Image360 will focus on creating vinyl art wraps for the selected utility boxes, expanding Lexington’s public art footprint significantly. This initiative reflects the city’s ongoing commitment to promoting community engagement and supporting local artists.
Mayor Linda Gorton underscored the value of public art in enhancing community spirit and visual interest. The public art initiative began in 2019 and is slated to continue with multiple rounds of utility box decorations throughout 2024 and 2025. The program prioritizes areas that have limited or no existing public art, aiming to broaden access to artistic expressions throughout the city.
Interested artists can submit their proposals through the Public Arts Commission’s website, where they can find the original request for proposals (RFP) along with the application guidelines. The submission deadline for proposals is set for 11 p.m. on September 15. This timeline reflects the city’s desire to kick off the project promptly, allowing ample time for artists to prepare their designs.
The initiative is intended not only to improve the visual landscape of Lexington but also to engage local artists in meaningful projects that reflect their creativity and connection to the community. Artists, such as Jill Strait, who has previously engaged in similar projects across Massachusetts, exemplify the kind of talent the city hopes to leverage. Strait has painted utility boxes, showcasing themes from nature to musical instruments, thus contributing to the aesthetic diversity of public spaces.
Jill’s experience includes mentoring emerging artists, making her a fitting example of the community spirit the city seeks to cultivate through this project. Each utility box project can take about a month to complete, involving several steps such as sanding, cleaning, painting, varnishing, and applying anti-graffiti coatings to ensure longevity and durability of the artwork. Weather is a critical factor in outdoor art projects, limiting the painting period primarily to the warmer months from April through November, which includes careful planning around potential weather delays.
With Jill Strait’s track record of completing 14 utility box murals along with other public art projects, her involvement highlights the potential impact of this initiative. Lexington’s Public Arts Commission hopes that by tapping into local artistic talent, they can not only beautify the city but also strengthen community bonds through collaborative art experiences.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the purpose of the utility box art project in Lexington?
The project aims to beautify the city’s approximately 400 utility boxes while encouraging community engagement and supporting local artists.
Who can participate in the project?
Local artists can submit proposals for decorating the utility boxes as part of the project.
What is the deadline for proposal submission?
Proposals must be submitted by 11 p.m. on September 15.
How will selected artists enhance the utility boxes?
Selected artists will create vinyl art wraps that will be applied to the utility boxes, transforming their appearance and enhancing community aesthetics.
Summary of Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Project Goal | Decorate utility boxes to enhance community aesthetics and support local artists. |
| Total Boxes | Approximately 400 utility boxes in Lexington. |
| Submission Deadline | 11 p.m. on September 15. |
| Project Duration | Rounds scheduled throughout 2024 and 2025. |
| Application Location | Public Arts Commission’s website. |
| Climate Considerations | Weather limits painting to April through November. |
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Additional Resources
- Kentucky: Fayette County News
- Wikipedia: Public Art
- Kentucky: Politics and Government News
- Google Search: Utility Box Art Projects
- Kentucky Today: Lexington Art Commission
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Public Art
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON KY STAFF
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