PUBLIC for All to ART West Chester’s Public Art Commission has been busy!
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LTHOUGH IT GOT ITS START JUST A few years ago in 2017, West Chester Borough’s Public Arts Commission (aka PAC) has made an impact. Sponsoring, spearheading and promoting the arts, culture and creative identity of the Borough, the Commission was established to provide “guidance, advocacy and leadership to support the reach and impact of public art.” From murals, sculptures, banners and more, public art has become part of the fabric of the Borough. Here are a few of its accomplishments that you may have noticed.
Lamp Post Banners West Chester winning the Great American Main Street Award got a tribute in the form of banners proclaiming the designation and the work done of preserving the historic and cultural heritage of the town. Sponsored by Elmark Graphics, the banner competition resulted initially in 18 local artists’ work being selected to be displayed on banners hanging from lamp posts along the busiest part of High Street. The banners mark this milestone award for West Chester as well as display original art in this welltraveled public space. More banners were later created and displayed along Gay Street.
Best Flag Forward
Did you know West Chester had a flag? Maybe you noticed the blue flags with gold design hanging on buildings around town, including Borough Hall? Spurred by an idea from The Fence Authority, the Commission held a competition to create an official flag of the Borough, to capture the sense of pride and unity of residents and join many other cities and towns boasting their own distinctive flag. In 2019, Borough Council selected Julie Allen’s design with its tilted gold grid pattern symbolizing the six original streets in West Chester (Chestnut, Gay, Market, Church, High, Walnut). [Editor’s note: For some fun with flags, spend 18 minutes watching a delightful and informative TED talk on YouTube about designing city flags. See how the West Chester flag is a winner.]
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County Lines | February 2021 | CountyLinesMagazine.com
