EASTHAMPTON — What would volunteerism look like if it was depicted in the city? One artist will have the opportunity to present their perspective publicly.
Easthampton City Arts and the Public Art Subcommittee is seeking proposals for its newest public art initiative, “Celebrating Service: Honoring Our Volunteers.”
As part of that initiative, ECA will support an artist or team of artists in creating an original public sculpture that both honors and celebrates the past, present and future of volunteerism in the arts and cultural sectors of the city.
The selected artist will receive $10,000 — ECA’s largest amount ever offered — to cover all costs, including design fees, materials, fabrication, transportation and installation. The honorarium is funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the Collaborative for Educational Services, as well as the American Rescue Plan Act funds.
“Arts are thriving in Easthampton, and that community depends on the continued efforts of volunteers,” said Pasqualina Azzarello, City Arts coordinator. “And we want to celebrate that.”
The sculpture will be installed on Cottage Street along the Nashawannuck Pond boardwalk, near The Water’s Fine goods + coffee shop.
The future sculpture will be located not too far from the stainless steel “Center of the Universe” sculpture, created in 2016 by Belchertown resident Brendan Stecchini. His interactive design was selected from a competitive pool of applicants in a similar request for proposals, according to Azzarello.
