Jo Anne and I join in wishing you and your loved ones a healthy, happy and prosperous 2010. There has been much joy along with some sadness during this past year. Cheers to better times ahead!
As market manager, part of my job is to facilitate improvements in our market location. Last year we were able to provide leveling of the north lot through generous donations and your hard work, gravel spreading, brush trimming and the placement of 6 permanent benches along Franklin Avenue in front of our market. Continuing in this vein, my friend Jeff Ingram of North Water Street Gallery and I along with artist Elaine Hullihen of Kent, met a few weeks ago and discussed the possibility of improving the appearance and ambiance of our market location.
Jeff, being well connected in Kent’s active arts and entertainment community contacted artist Elaine Hullihen, and asked if she would be interested in being involved in a mural project that would include the columns and lintels of the Haymaker viaduct. At our meeting, Elaine presented some of her ideas in the form of a scale model of the bridge painted with her concept and several sketches of details of those murals. I was very impressed with her talent, imagination and level of commitment not only to the project at hand, but also to our farmers’ market. At her request, I made some small suggestions of additional elements that might be included such as musicians, bakers and most importantly our loyal customers.
Elaine Hullihen and Fritz Seefeldt meet at North Water Street Gallery.
After completing the final concept and organizing it into a package, it will be presented to the city manager Dave Ruller along with Kent city council. Our ward council-person and board member Heidi Shaffer along with our city Service Director Gene Roberts will be over seeing city communications.
I am coordinating the funding and logistics part of the project. I am applying for an Ohio Arts Council funding grant and hope to have it completed in two weeks. We will also be seeking local funding through the city of Kent, private businesses and organizations as well as individuals.
A project such as this will serve to improve the ambiance of our market site, act as a reminder to the community of our market even during off season, allow community participation through funding and actual painting of the mural, and act as a media and public attraction for our Kent downtown business district. Please let us know what you think of this project and any ideas that may help to move us closer toward making it a reality.
All the best to everyone!
Fritz Seefeldt.
