Frederick, a historic community an hour north of Washington, D.C., and an hour east of Baltimore, sees public art as a part of its creative future. Bressi worked with the Frederick Arts Council and a broad-based task force to develop a vision for public art, priority areas for focus, and a unique implementation structure for a program that includes both city and county government.
The plan lays out a vision for public art that connects the rich texture of Frederick’s city, countryside, villages, and river valleys. It explores how to draw on the region’s vibrant economy, driven by bio-science and cyber-science, as well as its complex layering of history and its recently-arrived immigrant communities.
The notion of connection, stitching together a civic fabric from all corners of the County, was the strongest idea that emerged in the planning process.
The plan outlines traditional public art projects incorporated into public capital projects, particularly an east-west stream corridor and a north-south rails to trails project, as well as artist residencies, a public art festival, creative collaboratories, a neighborhood-based public art studio, and two major gateway projects.
Read more about the public art plan at the Frederick Arts Council web page.
