The winners of the latest Streets Alive public art project were announced Saturday during the Starry Night Studio and Gallery Tour.
This year’s theme was Pedal Powered, and participating artists rode their way to cash prizes.
Frank Ripley’s skeletal bicycle was voted the best sculpture, earning him $7,500.
“It’s surreal,” Ripley said of the win, adding he didn’t know what to expect in terms of results. “It’s half-juried and half-public vote. There’s so many variables.”
He was asked to take part with only two-and-a-half months to the deadline, but his creativity kicked in.
“Metal is kind of my thing,” he said. “I wasn’t overly interested in the bike theme to begin with, but once I started, it just came together.”
Rebecca Allen won second ($5,000) for her sculpture, while Phill Holder took third ($2,500).
There were additional winners this year as Pedal Powered included smaller window displays. The winners in that category were Meg Leslie and the team of Ally Harris and Aime Brownbill, who earned $500.
“I’m thrilled about the results and I’m thrilled for the artists,” said Streets Alive founder Leslie Fournier.
She also announced the theme for next year’s Streets Alive: Road Trip to Mariposa. It will celebrate the Mariposa Folk Festival as it did in 2010, when the theme was Guitars on Parade. This time, though, the sculptures will be “1960s hippie buses.”
“It brings everything full circle,” Fournier said. “It’s a perfect way to wrap up Streets Alive sculptures.”
Wait. What?
Yes, 2020 will be the last year of new sculptures on the street, Fournier announced.
“We now have this incredible collection of Streets Alive sculptures from all 10 years,” she explained. “We have a wonderful variety we can put out every year.”
It’s not the end for Streets Alive, she assured.
“It will just evolve. There will be a focus on keeping art on the streets.”
What that will look like is yet to be seen.
“The sky’s the limit with public art,” Fournier said.
