Blue Springs, Mo. – The Blue Springs Public Art Commission will host a dedication ceremony for “Jet Stream” on Thursday, September 18. The event begins with a pre-program reception at 6 p.m. at Rotary Park at Railroad Lake, 600 NW Vesper Street, Shelter House #1. The dedication program will follow promptly at 6:30 p.m. The event is free of charge and open to the public.
Crafted by artist Nicole Beck, “Jet Stream” is located on the NW quadrant of I-70 and Highway 7. “Jet Stream” was originally displayed as part of the 2012 Temporary Public Art Exhibit “Connections.” The Blue Springs Public Art Commission selected “Jet Stream” to join the City’s permanent public art collection and raised private funds to facilitate the final purchase price of $7,500.
“Public art adds significantly to the visual appeal and assets of the community and helps identify it as a welcoming place for families to live, work and play,” says Eleanor Frasier, chair of the Public Art Commission. “We believe that ‘Jet Stream’ is an excellent addition to our varied public art collection that invites dialogue about the unique identity of Blue Springs and encourages public pride in our hometown.”
Since the inception of the Public Art Commission, the City has acquired 30 permanent public art pieces through purchases, commissions and private donations. The City’s public art collection has added almost one million dollars in economic assets to Blue Springs.
The Public Art Commission would like to thank the private donors that helped purchase “Jet Stream”: The Blue Springs Art League; Annetta Baker; Suzanne, Bill, Andie & Trey Baldwin; Dale & Lisa Carter; Jan & Randy Castle; Janet & Larry Collins; Rob, Diana, Josie & Finian Collins; Jennifer Frasier; Jill Frasier; Kenneth & Eleanor Frasier; Ron & Carolyn Gordanier; James B. Indiveri; Gretchen Jacobson; Steve & Lois Krueger; Barbara & Chet Landes; Gertie Lowe; John & Sue Montgomery; Ed & Helen Newlin; Jill & Julius Oswald; Oswald, Roam, Rew & Fry; Roscoe Righter & Valerie Fortel; Bob & Annette Seago; Lyle & Grace Shaver; Jerry & Janet Smith; Burt & Rachel Sundvold; Kathe & Gary White; Phyllis & Fred Wilkins; Jim & Darlene Wyrsch.
About the artist
Nicole Beck is a public artist making studio works and collaborative installations shown nationwide. At the heart of Beck’s artwork beats the rhythm and beauty of the dynamic systems found in nature and the sciences. Basic geometries balance form with ideas. Her sculptures create quirky and beautiful poems in space.
About Jet Stream
Art critic Victor Cassidy writes about Jet Stream: This 18-ft. x 8-ft. painted steel sculpture consists of a three-dimensional welded steel square, trapezoidal in cross section, with a large hole through its center. A long, curving beam of steel, which is fixed to the ground at one end, passes through the top of the hole, and projects out, curving slightly down. Jet Stream is based on the physics and dynamics of the cantilever and draws its name as it form suggests an aircraft taking off with its exhaust trailing and simulates jet streams.
About the Public Art Commission
Blue Springs was the first City in eastern Jackson County to establish a public art program. On September 6, 2000, the City Council passed an ordinance creating the Public Art Commission with the mandate to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the community which would contribute to its positive identify and image, and make Blue Springs a more desirable place to live, work, and locate a business.
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