Council helps fund local bridge art in August with $2,000 grant

It will create a buzz

This August, you can expect to see some unique and large art projects adorning a half-dozen bridges in Crested Butte for at least a few days. In an effort to help expand the scope of the Crested Butte Arts Festival and celebrate the event’s 40th anniversary, the Town Council approved a $2,000 expenditure to help fund a project that will be held in conjunction with the festival.
The idea is to pay artists or groups of artists to create pieces of art that reflect Coal Creek on local bridges. Guided tours of the bridges will then be given by members of the Coal Creek Watershed Coalition.

The project will be overseen by Melissa Mason and Jamie Booth. Each artist group will be paid $850. Mason and Booth cited the artist Christo’s work to cover part of the Arkansas River in fabric as an example, as well as local photographer Tom Loughlin’s exhibit “Pictures of You,” which was displayed in an open field on the east side of Crested Butte a few years ago.
“We want people to experience art,” explained Mason to the council while asking for $3,000 out of the town’s service grant fund. “It brings art off of Elk Avenue that weekend. We have thought about eventually doing more than the bridges and maybe doing something along the Woods Walk or even in places like trail 401.”
“I like this idea but would caution against putting a big art display in places like 401,” said Councilperson John Wirsing. “Many people come here for the natural beauty. I like the idea of keeping it close to town.”
“I like the integration of Coal Creek into the project,” added Councilperson Shaun Matusewicz. “I think it is a great idea.”
“I like the idea as well but the only problem I have is the short window that it will be up and displayed,” said Councilmember Glenn Michel. “Three thousand dollars is a lot for three and a half days.”
“In the long term what you are funding isn’t so much this one art display,” responded Mason. “It’s the buzz and getting people to experience something and making them excited to come back.”
“This type of art is something you have to enjoy in the moment,” added project consultant Ivy Walker. “Perhaps in the future it will be expanded to last longer. This is the first year and we are looking at it as an experiment.”
“I look at it as seed money for a new project,” said Councilperson David Owen. “I like it.”
The council agreed to donate $2,000 for the project.
“I think it will be awesome,” summed up Mayor Aaron Huckstep.