For Immediate Release
“What I Love About Boulder” Banner Project Debuts Next Week
Students from Columbine Elementary, Casey Middle School & Boulder High School make artistic debut on the Pearl Street Mall
BOULDER, CO [January 10, 2014] -- For the second year, Downtown Boulder will display new lamp pole banners along the Pearl Street Mall created by the talents and imagination of 66 budding artists from Columbine Elementary, Casey Middle School and Boulder High School. Designs include images of wildlife, iconic Boulder landmarks and more. Students used a variety of mediums to create their works of art (including collage, water color & digital art). The banners will be on display now through mid-April.
On Wednesday, January 15, there will be a student reception at West Flanders Brewery. Students, along with teachers, school board members and city officials will be in attendance. Awards will be presented to students from each school in the categories of “Artistry” and “Most Thematic”. In addition, the public will be invited to vote for their favorite banner (“People’s Choice” award) during Boulder Arts Week - March 28 through April 6, 2014. Details about voting will be announced soon at BoulderDowntown.com.
The banner project is produced by the Downtown Boulder Business Improvement District – with support from the Boulder Valley School District and GrafXGroup, and funded (in part) by a grant from the Boulder Arts Commission, an agency of the Boulder City Council. “In its second year, we are excited that this project has been received with so much support and enthusiasm,” said Sean Maher, executive director of Downtown Boulder. “The Pearl Street Mall is the perfect venue to celebrate and showcase Boulder’s next generation of talented artists.”
A photo gallery of the banners will be featured on the Downtown Boulder website: BoulderDowntown.com. In addition to the lamp pole banners, a banner designed by a group of Casey Middle School classmates (inspired by Eric Carle) will be on display at the Visitor Information Center (1303 Pearl Street).
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Terri Takata-Smith
(303) 449-3774
Terri@downtownboulder.org
About the Downtown Boulder Business Improvement District (BID)
The Downtown Boulder Business Improvement District (BID) is a 49-block neighborhood where property owners tax themselves to make their community cleaner, safer and more vibrant. The tax is used by the BID to purchase services that supplement those provided by the city and provide a comprehensive consumer marketing program. Working with the city of Boulder and our non-profit partner, Downtown Boulder, Incorporated, the Downtown Boulder BID is leading a new spirit of cooperation among property owners, businesses and the community by providing a range of enhanced management programs including maintenance, marketing, economic vitality and physical improvements. These program areas of the Downtown Boulder BID are designed to retain, expand and attract businesses and investment to improve the Downtown environment.
About The Boulder Valley School district (BVSD):
Located in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Boulder Valley School District (BVSD) stretches from the peaks of the Continental Divide to the suburbs of Denver. BVSD stands as a leader in academic excellence with outstanding classroom teachers, exemplary schools, and programs that support student achievement. BVSD consistently ranks among the top three of Colorado’s large Front Range school districts – and often as the TOP district – as measured by state and national academic rankings.
Each year, BVSD’s graduates are awarded millions of dollars in scholarships and score well above the state and national averages on the ACT and SAT college entrance exams. Boulder Valley students are at the top in the state in the Colorado Student Assessment Program (CSAP) results. Boulder Valley Schools also receive a tremendous amount of community support. Voters recently approved a tax increase of nearly $300 million for capital improvements to each of our 55 schools over the next six years.
About GrafX Group:
The GrafXGroup takes a team approach to producing big visual projects, whether it is a trade show, special event, product roll out, retail POP, corporate rebranding or just dressing up the lobby. Big projects can be challenging, involving many moving parts. The GrafXGroup loves a challenge. They draw on a staff of experienced professionals and combine that with the best digital printing equipment and display technology available to fulfill their client’s imagination & vision.
About the Boulder Arts Commission (BAC):
The Boulder Arts Commission, established in 1979 to increase awareness and support for the arts, consists of five members appointed by City Council, each to a five-year term. The BAC’s mission is to "assert a leadership role in enriching the lives of the people of Boulder through supporting arts experiences of the highest quality. The arts are a human experience and need to be celebrated as a great community and individual resource."
With a budget received through the City’s general fund and also through a dedicated portion of sales tax, the Arts Commission’s meetings are focused on evaluating grant proposals received from Boulder artists and arts organizations in a variety of grant categories.
The Commission also weighs in on public art projects, administers financial support to the Boulder Museum of Contemporary Art and the Dairy Center for the Arts (with a BAC member appointed as a voting member representing the City’s interests on each of those boards of directors), funds and provides direction to the Boulder Arts Resource (an online database providing information about visual and performing arts in Boulder and beyond, www.artsresource.org, and the Dance Bridge (a project aimed to broaden public participation in dance through support, promotion and the centralization of services and resources). Additionally, a BAC member represents the City’s interests as a voting member on the board of directors of the Boulder Convention and Visitors Bureau.