First Show-Me Neighborhood Art Week is Underway: Enjoy and Vote

 



The first Show-Me Neighborhood Art Week is underway and you can participate by viewing any of the 73 great installations from around the state in person or online and then voting for your favorite as part of our awards program.

The MU Extension website includes a map of art installations across the state and photos of those that have been submitted.

This page also includes a link to the ballot where you can vote for your favorite.

A file exists on Google drive of all the various submissions around the state and can be accessed here.

University of Missouri Extension launched this statewide public art exhibit this year to promote creative expression and public art made by residents as a contribution to the community's sense of place and residents' sense of belonging.

The initiative was inspired by LAWN (Lawn Art With Neighbors), a grassroots program launched in Springfield, Missouri, in 2020. LAWN aimed to empower public art made by the people, promoting Springfield's sense of place and the built environment. It was founded and organized by Sculpture Walk Springfield, Springfield Art Museum, Missouri State University: Art + Design Department, and Greene County MU Extension Council.

Organizers of Show Me Neighborhood Art Week confirm that one goal of developing this whole week of neighborhood art was to encourage artmaking and viewing as a form of bolstering mental health by creating a sense of belonging among participants and those who view the art.

"We live in a culture where we are always in a hurry and hide behind phones and garage doors, which causes us to avoid neighborly interaction and makes it difficult to love your neighbor if you do not see them," said David Burton, a community development specialist with MU Extension and the creator of Missouri Good Neighbor Week. "There is a unique value to art created for the community, by the community, as a way to strengthen social bonds with neighbors through art."

Key findings from a 2020 study by the Knight Foundation revealed that people with access to arts and cultural activities are more attached to their communities. That attachment boosts feelings of satisfaction and lifestyle fit and correlates with a more significant investment of time and resources in the community.

"People with access to arts and cultural activities are more attached to their communities because it boosts feelings of satisfaction and lifestyle fit and correlates with greater investment of time and resources in the community," said Lisa Overholser, a community arts specialist with MU Extension in St. Louis County. "Show Me Neighborhood Art Week is a program that capitalizes on these findings and seeks to increase access to this level of participation."

Elna Stephenson is a community arts specialist with MU Extension in the Kansas City area and she is equally excited about the event.

“Show Me Neighborhood Art Week is the perfect example of a program that highlights Community Development while activating various neighborhoods and communities across the state,” said Stephenson. “Kansas City has a robust arts district in the Crossroads, but I am eager to see the pockets of art communities in downtown Englewood and the Historic Northeast get involved in this project.”

Deana Dothage, an MU Extension Engagement Specialist for St. Charles County, said her goal for promoting Show Me Neighborhood Art Week is to inspire people to visit with neighbors while doing something fun for the enjoyment of one’s entire neighborhood.

“Watching a neighbor design yard art may lead to an offer of assistance to help that neighbor create the art. What a unique project to collaborate and get to know each other better," said Dothage.

All registered participants will be eligible for one of the statewide prizes recognizing the best art installations, including one "Best in Show," eight "Outstanding Regional Awards," and "People's Choice Awards," determined by social media voting. 

To participate in Show Me Neighborhood Art Week, Missourians had to register before May 24. Preexisting and new public art can be registered, but only new art can be considered for prizes. Anyone can cast their vote on the art online here. 


MORE INFORMATION

Does this article make you interested in taking the Engaged Neighbor pledge? Five categories and 20 principles to guide you toward becoming an engaged neighbor. Sign the pledge online at http://engagedneighbor.com.

Contact the blog author, David L. Burton at dburton541@yahoo.com.

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