Summary
The Fergus
Falls Public Arts Commission (FFPAC) is excited to begin its first major
project this spring and summer, and we need YOUR help to make it a reality!
"Freedom,"
a sculpture designed by Duluth artist Ann Klefstad, will be installed in the
new roundabout at Alcott and Tower Road in Fergus Falls. The sculpture, due to
be completed by Fall 2015, will stand at 20 feet high and is made of
aluminum and steel. It depicts birds in playful flight, reminiscent of “heart stirring”
flocks of birds following a tractor in a field during harvest time, according
to Klefstad. The sculpture will serve as an expressive and memorable gateway to
the city for both residents and visitors, reminding viewers of the environmental
and cultural assets that make our region so unique.
The
sculpture was chosen through a highly engaged process. In July 2013, FFPAC
announced a call for proposals from artists, which attracted 13 proposals from
11 different artists. A community selection committee was formed of 12 people
to review all proposals. The group included artists, property owners near the
roundabout, business owners, interested citizens, and elected officials. The
group met for a total of 8 hours over the course of 1.5 months, closely evaluating
and discussing each proposal based on its relevance to the community of Fergus
Falls, safety, cost of upkeep, and the experience and credibility of the
artists. "Freedom," was the top sculpture recommended to FFPAC based this
criteria, and the FFPAC unanimously voted to move forward on making the
sculpture a reality.
There are
few artists in the state of Minnesota as experienced as Ann Klefstad in
designing fabricating high quality, lasting public art. Klefstad’s commissioned work has
appeared all around the state of Minnesota, including the Lake Superior Zoo,
Columbia Garden Park in Minneapolis, Franconia Sculpture Garden, and at the
Harriet Island Plaza, (a project which was given an American Institute of
Landscape Architects Merit Award!) Check out our gallery to view some of her finished projects!
What We Need & What You Get
The total project budget for "Freedom" is approximately $40,000. We want at least 25% of that funding to come from people like you, which is why our goal on this site is only $10,000. The rest of the funds needed are being raised through major private donors, businesses, and grant funds. By donating to this campaign, even if it's just a small amount, we're able to show these larger funders that there are people in Fergus Falls who want this project to happen.
And, crowdfunding is a fun way to support a project in the community, because you get cool gifts! Check out our great incentives, from a limited edition I Heart Fergus Falls Art sticker, to beautiful prints or models of the sculpture that you can display in your home or office!
Impact
According
to the article “Why Public Art Matters,” published by Americans for the Arts, “When
we think about memorable places, we think about their icons – consider the St.
Louis Arch, the totem poles of Vancouver, the heads at Easter Island. All of
these were the work of creative people who captured the spirit and atmosphere
of their cultural milieu. Absent public art, we would be absent our human
identities.”
Smaller
communities throughout rural Minnesota are struggling to make themselves
distinct. What a place looks like is
often the first thing people notice or remember when they consider a town’s
identity. Public art has been proven to play a big role in making
cities and towns places where people want to live and visit.
We believe that placing a beautiful sculpture in a
gateway location such as the Tower Road roundabout, immediately sends the
message to visitors that Fergus Falls is a community that has pride in its
appearance and invests in a positive sense of identity.
Other Ways You Can Help
If you can't contribute financially, please think to yourself right now if there's someone you know who loves public art that could donate, and share this page with them personally.
And of course, share this page on your social media pages frequently throughout the campaign! We can't do this alone!
Thank you for supporting public art in Fergus Falls!