Public Art in Wabash:A Roadmap For

Creative Placemaking WABASH MARKETPLACE, INC. 104 WEST MARKET STREET, WABASH, IN 46992

Introduction

Across the nation, communities both large and small are using public art to improve public spaces, enhance the beauty of their community, and provide their city with its own signature.

Wabash already has its own distinctive examples of public art, including the stately sculpture of Abraham Lincoln that sits on the Northeast corner of our Courthouse lawn. The monument to our 16th president was commissioned by Wabash-born Alexander New and created by sculptor Charles Keck. Its unveiling in 1932 (as pictured on the cover of this plan), drew crowds of residents and visitors to theheart of Wabash.

Care has been taken to maintain this community treasure; conservators from the Indianapolis Museum of Art restored the statue in 2004, bringing it close to its original condition. This plan is built on the belief that public art can enhance Wabash and its image. It is our intention that this plan reopens an ongoing conversation in our community—a conversation started by the tradition of public art in Wabash. We hope that it ensures a continuing investment and appreciationof public art in our community.

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Table of Contents

• Introduction I• What is Public Art and Why Is It Important 1• What Makes Wabash A Great Place For Public Art 2• Project Scope/Funding 3• Community Preparation 4• Downtown 5• Gateways 6• Parks, Waterfront, and Trails 7• Conclusion 8• An Inventory of Public Art in Wabash 9• Appendix 10

What is public art and why is it important?

Public art includes works that engage us all by existing in our communal spaces, for anywhere from a brief moment to a lifetime. They are works capable of transforming communal open spaces into distinctive places.

Public art is for everyone. Whether created or placed, temporary or long-term, public art seeks to engage and to be enjoyed by an audience. Public art creates shared experiences for residents and visitors alike. Every public art project is collaboration between the artist(s) and the community.

Public art creates civic vitality and starts a conversation; it challenges, delights, educates, illuminates, and helps us to pay close attention to our environment. It motivates us all to explore our own creativity.

Public art offers different perspectives and activates imagination.

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What makes Wabash a great place for public art?

Historical downtown Wabash is in the midst of a resurgence. Our community has invested $30 million in downtown Wabash over the past five years. Our efforts have revitalized façades, incorporated new way-finding signs to guide visitors, and restored a downtown hotel to its former greatness. Wabash is well on its way to becoming a hub for economic and cultural activities. Creative placemaking through public art will increase vitality and encourage future growth. Wabash has a history of involvement and inventiveness. People here still have a strong desire to make Wabash a better place in which to live and visit. Public art in Wabash can celebrate this spirit of pride and become a driver for tourism.

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How do we fund public art in Wabash?

Outside funding and community support will ensure public art can be enjoyed for many years to come. The original cost of prepping the site, purchasing and installing the art are just the first steps in the life of a piece of art. The art piece itself and the land surrounding it must be maintained. The planning and selection process will consider and include the maintenance of art pieces.

In 2012, The Indiana Office of Tourism Development awarded Wabash Marketplace, Inc. a Place Based Grant in the amount of $50,000 to support this Public Art Plan. Community organizations and leaders pledged $50,000 in matching funds to make this grant a reality. These funds represent an incredible commitment to public art in Wabash from both our state and our own community.

Future funding sources may include:• Private Donations and Endowments• Public Collaborations• Competitive Grants• Percentage-for-Art Programs• National Endowments• Government Funding• Partnering on Civic Projects

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Project ScopeCommunity Preparation

The first phase of the Public Art plan in Wabash includes the installation of benches, bike racks, and trash receptacles to prepare downtown for an influx of visitors. The preparation phase is critical to the success of future public art projects.

Bike racks support the existing bike trail system in Wabash and encourage riders to stop and explore the area. Benches entice residents and visitors alike to pause and enjoy all that downtown offers. Additional trash receptacles ensure Wabash has clean and welcoming streets.

Progress:100% of funding secured (Place Based Grant and matching funds).

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Project ScopeDowntown

Downtown is already home to cultural hot spots including five art galleries, a 1,500-seat theater, a historic movie house, and museums.

Phase Two includes developing public art projects in strategic locations throughout downtown.

Public art will complement and enhance the historic downtown streetscape and increase interest in our existing cultural attractions. Project locations may include pedestrian walkways, sidewalks, and open spaces. Interactive art works, in conjunction with downtown maps, could provide “a walking tour of art” in Wabash.

For our purposes, we define downtown borders as the Wabash Marketplace district.

Progress:Funding has been secured for two open spaces: Veteran’s Plaza and Mammoth site (Place Based Grant and matching funds).

Project ScopeGateways

The main gateways and entry points into the City of Wabash give us a chance to make a lasting and positive first impression on visitors and to inspire pride in local residents.

Phase Three will capitalize on this opportunity, welcoming all to Wabash through public art projects. The first view of Wabash should give travelers a sense of our identity, a taste of our history and pique their interest about what Wabash has to offer. Since gateways and entry points are usually viewed while driving, large-scale art pieces best serve these locations.

Wabash has many potential gateways as outlined on the map below:(1) State Road 15 North and 24 Intersection(2) State Road 13 North and 24 Intersection(3) State Road 13 South past the “Cut” (Vernon Street)(4) Between the Wabash Bridge and the point at which SR15 and SR13 “Y” (The Wabash, Miami & Smith Street Intersection)(5) State Road 15 South past the “Cut” (Airport Road)(6) Secondary entry points include Alber, Stitt, and Vernon Streets

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Project ScopeParks, Waterfront, and

TrailsThe Public Art Plan will seek to develop public art projects in the parks and trails, as well as the historic waterfront. The recently opened Wabash Riverwalk connects Wabash City Park,our state-of-the-art YMCA facility, and Paradise Spring Historical Park, all while providing a great vantage point to appreciate the natural beauty of the Wabash River. It is recent developments like the Riverwalk that illustrate our community’s commitment to enhancing our existing gems; a commitment that we will echo in developing public art projects for these spaces.

Parks and trails in Wabash include:• Bike Trails• Broadmoor Park• Charley Creek Gardens• Charley Creek Park• Cultural Trails• Hanna Park• Historic District Walking Tour• Honeywell Park and Pool• John Drook Memorial Bike and Skate Park• Master Trooper David Rich Memorial Park• Paradise Spring Historical Park• South Side Park• Wabash City Park• Wabash Riverwalk

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Conclusion

Wabash has already begun its transformation from a working-class, rural community, known mainly for its industry, into a hub for economic and cultural activities. As this roadmap outlines, public art can build additional momentum for this transformation. Successful public art will ensure that Wabash becomes known as a destination that spurs creativity, encourages visitors and residents to walk, linger, and pause at the sights, and welcomes new businesses.

Who created this plan?This plan is a creation of Wabash Marketplace, Inc. Public Art Subcommittee in conjunction with the City of Wabash. This subcommittee (a subset of the Design Committee) was created and convened in June 2012.

“The City of Wabash is a community rich with talent and a strong supporter of arts and entertainment. For example, we are fortunate to have the Honeywell Center, Charley Creek Gardens, Wabash County Historical Museum and the former home of Dr. James Ford. Public art plays a major role in our vision to revitalize our downtown, creates a positive first impression, and speaks volumes that Wabash is progressive in striving to achieve our goal. As Mayor, I want to encourage visitors to make Wabash a destination for arts and entertainment.” Robert Vanlandingham - City of Wabash Mayor

“21st Century businesses compete for workforce as much as they compete for resources, capital, and customers. The ability to attract and retain a 21st Century workforce enables our community to prosper. Public art is essential to our workforce and business attraction efforts.” Bill Konyha - Economic Development Group of Wabash County

“Connecting tourism with heritage, public art and culture can do more for the local econo-my than promoting them separately. A well-managed creative placemaking plan promotes community pride, which grows as people work together to develop a thriving tourist industry. Studies have consistently shown that cultural heritage travelers stay longer and spend more money than other kinds of travelers. The implementation of the Public Art in Wabash: A Roadmap for Creative Placemaking plan is critical in deriving lasting economic impact in Wabash via cultural heritage tourism.”Christine Flohr - Executive Director of Tourism

“As an arts provider in our region, we are pleased to see a cohesive plan for creative placemaking initiatives. Public Art in Wabash: A Roadmap for Creative Placemaking is an innovate way to revitalize our community.” Tod Minnich – Executive Director of The Honeywell Foundation, Inc.

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City of WabashCity of WabashCity of WabashCity of WabashCity of WabashCity of WabashPublic Art InventoryPublic Art InventoryPublic Art InventoryPublic Art InventoryPublic Art InventoryPublic Art Inventory

(created in 2013)(created in 2013)(created in 2013)(created in 2013)(created in 2013)(created in 2013)

Name Description Date Installed Location Designer Additional InformationBowen Center Mural mural 2004 (August) Bowen Center Dave Ingols

Brush Light Replicas

Replicas placed as part of Wabash Marketplace Streetscape Project 1996? Downtown light poles unknown?

In the winter of 1880 4 Brush lights were set on top of the Wabash County Court House, 1 W. Hill St

Centennial Man sculpture 1999 dedicatedCharley Creek Garden, 551 N Miami St Matthew Burg

Circus Theme (Modoc the elephant escape) Mural 2006 Modoc's Market, 205 S Miami St Kenny Martin

Cross sculpture 1981Christ United Methodist Church, 477 N Miami St John Schlemmer

Requested by church, designed, created and donated by Mr. Schlemmer.

Garver Sculpture Plaza

Life-size sculpture of Mr. Honeywell and children 1994

Honeywell Center, 275 W Market St John M. Soderberg

Key Way sculpture 1999 dedicatedCharley Creek Garden, 551 N Miami St Michael Smith

Labyrinth landscape art2008 installed/ 2009 dedicated

Charley Creek Garden, 551 N Miami St Marty Kermeen

ModocLarge painted elephant 2005?

Private Property Art (Mike and Angie Beauchamp, 585 N Miami St) unknown?

Mosaic mosaicBelieved to be added after construction of building

Memorial Hall-Judicial Center (center of Hill Street between Wabash and Miami) unknown?

Replica at Wabash County Historical Museum

The Great Emancipator Lincoln Monument 1932Northeast corner of Court House, Wabash, and Hill Charley Keck Alexander New, Commissioned

Tribute to Modoc8 painted cement elephants 2005 (Nov. 10) Modoc's Market, 205 S Miami St

Wabash High School art students under the direction of Kim Oswalt cast elephants

Turn of the Century mural 1982

Tremont Parking Lot (Northside of Market Street and between Wabash & Miami) William Stouffer

Historical Features/Other ArtHistorical Features/Other ArtHistorical Features/Other ArtHistorical Features/Other ArtHistorical Features/Other ArtHistorical Features/Other ArtName Description Date Installed Location Designer Additional InformationAdvertising Art mural 2008 Charley Creek Inn Rich Fischer

Advertising Art mural 2005/2007Schlemmer Brothers building, 108 W Canal St Kenny Martin Painted from photographs

Advertising Art mural unknown?Corner building - Market and Wabash northeast side

Kenny Martin and Rick Fischer

Space leased by Mike Beauchamp to downtown businesses for advertising

Advertising Art mural unknown?Spiece, 306 Manchester Ave, Wabash, IN unknown?

Chief Oskewawa Statue Fall 2009 Wabash Middle School Mo Money Molds

Anonomously Donated to Athletic Department. Also has the name "Shepherd" on it. The company is out of Michigan.

Elizabeth Pearson City Clock clock 2009Wabash Carnegie Public Library, 188 W Hill St stock item

In recognition of Ms. Pearson's financial gift to the Library

Honeywell Center Clock clock 2001Honeywell Center, 275 W Market St stock item Donated by Joe and Peg Yarnelle

Mausoleums various Falls Cemetery various Inventory Needed

Stained Glass Windows various Various Churches various

White Bronze Soldier and Sailor statues 1899

Memorial Hall-Judicial Center (center of Hill Street between Wabash and Miami) stock item

1) Building is a monument to the Grand Army of the Republic 2) Captain B.F. Williams, county auditor, business man, and attorney - Headed project9

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Appendix

Photo Credits

Keck Unveiling - Indiana Historical Society CoverCloudgate - City of Chicago IntroductionLincoln Statue - Wabash Historical Museum IntroductionPostcard - Unknown Table of contentsGarver Sculpture Plaza - Honeywell Center 1Modoc’s Market - Kellie Brace 1Charley Creek Inn Exterior - Wabash EDG 2Charley Creek Inn Interior - Wabash EDG 2Charley Creek Inn Exterior - Charley Creek Inn 2Charley Creek Inn Interior - Charley Creek Inn 2Wabash Marketplace Office - Kellie Brace 3Lincoln Statue - Wabash Plain Dealer 3Downtown Bench - Kellie Brace 4Downtown Trash Can - Kellie Brace 4Downtown Bike Rack - Kellie Brace 4Mammoth Building Site - Kellie Brace 5Tremont Plaza - Kellie Brace 5Paradise Spring Riverwalk - City of Wabash 7Wabash City Park - City of Wabash 7Centennial Man - Charley Creek Gardens 7