Citizens Encouraged to Complete
Online Public Art Survey

The Davidson Public Art Commission is conducting a master planning process to guide the future of the public art program in town. Citizens are encouraged to complete this short online survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DavidsonPublicArt. The results of this survey will influence the master plan recommendations.

The survey asks for your input on the types of public art you would like to see and where you would like to see it in Davidson. In this survey you’ll see different categories of public art: functional street art (benches and bike racks), fine art (sculptures, murals, etc.), park amenities, and veterans memorials. You’ll see ideas of where public art could go: greenways, downtown, neighborhoods, parks, and other infrastructure.

“The Town of Davidson views public art as integral to our community's fabric,” said Davidson Public Art Commission Chairperson Sherry Malushizky. “We recognize the potential of art to create special gathering spaces, enhance our town’s identity, strengthen economic development and tourism, educate children and adults, and enrich the spirit and pride of its citizens.”

Since 2008, the town’s public art program has been shepherded by the Davidson Public Art Commission (DPAC). We have dedicated three projects: The “Bouquet for Davidson” in the post office plaza, the Book Garden near the library, and “Dance of Life” near town hall. These projects were all funded by a portion of the prepared food and occupancy tax that is received from the state and is approved by the Davidson Board of Commissioners every year, by grants from both non-profits and corporations, and by private donations. The occupancy (hotel) tax is typically paid by visitors to Davidson; the prepared food tax is paid by everyone who purchases prepared foods at our restaurants and grocery stores.

The Bouquet for Davidson was created by British Sculptor Andy Dunhill and was installed in the post office plaza in spring 2009. Funding for this piece came from the North Carolina Arts Council ($14,950), Arts and Science Council ($5,500), the Town of Davidson, through the prepared food and occupancy tax ($20,000) totaling $40,450. “The abstract images that you see in the sculpture are derived from my response to the town, its history, its residents, and the physical nature of the site,” said Dunhill. “I have incorporated sections of columns like those that stand in front of the post office, I reference open books, roof tops, fishing nets, picture frames, farm machinery, riding tackle, and the natural environment around Davidson.”

The Book Garden was created by Artist Lydia Musco and Landscape Architect J’Nell Bryson, and was installed in fall 2013. Funding for this project came from the Arts and Science Council ($5,000), the Town of Davidson, through the prepared food and occupancy tax, ($26,663), private donations ($23,340), and corporate donations ($65,000), totaling $120,003. “Davidson is full of authors and readers; the Book Garden honors Davidson’s literary legacy and celebrates the written and visual arts through design, sculpture, and words,” said Bryson. “Its location next to the library, a block from Davidson College, and across the street from Main Street books, is perfect to celebrate Davidson’s literary pursuits.”

Dance of Life was created by Sculptor Douwe Blumberg and Landscape Architect J’Nell Bryson and was installed in April 2015. Funding for this project came from the Arts and Science Council ($10,000), the Town of Davidson, through the prepared food and occupancy tax, ($52,286), and private donations ($35,000), totaling $91,286. “I saw this project as having two main goals: 1) to celebrate Pat Knox’s life and communicate this in an uplifting, spiritually energetic way and 2) to be a permanent artwork for the town and serve as an iconic piece of public art as the decades go by,” said Blumberg.