Public Artwork

Bike Racks on Broadway

Description

The Winnipeg Arts Council collaborated with the Downtown BIZ on this initiative to bring artist-designed bike racks to central Winnipeg. A Call to Artists was issued in spring 2007 for designs that would be made into bike racks. Sixty-eight artists responded enthusiastically with a total of 275 drawings. A jury of cycling enthusiasts and artists selected the final three designs. In collaboration with the artists, the drawings were transferred to digital files and slightly adapted in order to meet City codes and fit the criteria for a functional bike rack. The designs were then sent to the fabricator, Speciallaser Tech, who laser cut the designs into the steel plates. The racks were later painted with durable automotive paint. The BIZ and WAC chose the locations on Broadway, from Union Station to Kennedy Street, according to apparent need for bicycle lock-up, space allowance and for greatest visual impact. In addition to Broadway, two bike racks are installed in Bonnycastle and McFadyen parks. This project has caught on in a big way and has become a model for other cities.

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Artist Biography

Paul Butler (b. 1973) works simultaneously as an artist (since 1998 he has organized the globally-roving "Collage Party" project), curator (currently, he is the guest curator of the Plug IN ICA’s Overlooked Space), and as the director of Winnipeg's Other Gallery www.theotherpaulbutler.com ; www.othergallery.com .

Vanessa Kroeker works with local and international artists and arts organizations towards the funding, creation, and presentation of contemporary art. She currently holds the position of Curatorial Assistant at Plug In Institute of Contemporary Art, and is studying philosophy at the University of Winnipeg. Her work has been shown at Printed Matter (New York), and Eye Level Gallery (Halifax).
 
Jessica Koroscil has a BFA Honors Degree in drawing and graphic design. Her favorite color is hot pink, she enjoys strong coffee and good books.  She keeps herself busy with a freelance graphic design and illustration firm.
 
Paul Robles (BA University of Winnipeg in Sociology; BFA University of Manitoba) lives and works in Winnipeg, MB. His work has been exhibited at various galleries including Plug In ICA, Winnipeg, MB; The New Gallery, Calgary, AB; Doris McCarthy Gallery, Toronto, ON,Outpost for Contemporary Art in Los Angeles, CA; and at Malaspina Printmakers, Vancouver, B.C. Robles also completed a research residency in the Peoples Republic of China (2007); was selected by the Governor General to exhibit at Rideau Hall in Ottawa (2007); created a public art project for the City of Winnipeg (2008); and is showcased as part of the CBCs ArtSpots online series. He's been awarded various grants from both the Manitoba & Winnipeg Arts Councils; has recently created artist pages for both Border Crossings Magazine (2008) and PaperWait (2008) publications; and his work is included in the New York-based web project Dream The End (2009).

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