On Wednesday May 29, 2019, you are invited to share words or phrases to be featured in the public artwork that will welcome visitors to the new police station currently under construction. Come to the Salem Convention Center Courtyard to meet artist Blessing Hancock from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. and share your ideas for her concept sculpture titled Equitas.
Community engagement is an essential component of the new sculpture, Equitas. The surface pattern of the 12’ high by 18’ wide lighted sculpture will incorporate text submitted by the Salem community relating to the themes of honor, protection, and service. Equitas will incorporate LED lighting in order to illuminate the messages provided by the community. The community will also be able to share their thoughts through an online survey that will remain open until August 1, 2019.
“Blessing Hancock’s site-specific sculpture will be an elegant addition to the new Police Facility. Shaped like an oculus, through which the public can see, the artwork will be lit from within so it’s appreciated year-round and at all times of day. By including text collected from the broader community, the piece looks at how language and form can be combined into contemporary art. I look forward to seeing what important themes are reflected in the artwork,” said Christine D’Arcy, Chair of the Salem Public Art Commission.
Equitas was selected by members of the Police Facility Design Team and members of the Salem Public Art Commission from more than 30 concepts submitted by artists across the country. The sculpture will join a collection of nearly 100 pieces of public artwork in Salem.
In Salem, one-half of one percent of the funding for a public improvement project is dedicated to public art. Construction of Salem’s new Police Station is expected to be completed by the Fall 2020. Equitas will be placed at the station entrance, and visible from Commercial and Division Street.
Stay up-to-date on the latest developments for Salem’s new police station by subscribing to the project email list and check out their ongoing video series, #BuildingBuzz.
