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 the heart 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 appreciation of public art in our community.

I

Table of Contents

• Introduction • What is Public Art and Why Is It Important • What Makes Wabash A Great Place For Public Art • Project Scope/Funding • Community Preparation • Downtown • Gateways • Parks, Waterfront, and Trails • Conclusion • An Inventory of Public Art in Wabash • Appendix

I 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 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.

1

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.

2

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

3

Project Scope Community 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).

4

Project Scope Downtown 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).

5

Project Scope Gateways 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

6

Project Scope Parks, Waterfront, and Trails The 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

7

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 economy 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. 8

City of Wabash Public Art Inventory (created in 2013)

Name Bowen Center Mural

Description mural

Brush Light Replicas

Replicas placed as part of Wabash Marketplace Streetscape Project

Centennial Man

sculpture

Circus Theme (Modoc the elephant escape) Cross

Date Installed 2004 (August)

1996? 1999 dedicated

Mural sculpture

Garver Sculpture Plaza

Life-size sculpture of Mr. Honeywell and children

Key Way

sculpture

Labyrinth

landscape art

Modoc

Large painted elephant

Mosaic

mosaic

The Great Emancipator

Lincoln Monument

Tribute to Modoc

8 painted cement elephants

Turn of the Century

mural

Name Advertising Art

Description mural

Advertising Art

mural

Location Bowen Center

Downtown light poles

Charley Creek Garden, 551 N Miami St

Designer Dave Ingols

unknown?

Modoc's Market, 205 S Miami St

1981

Christ United Methodist Church, John Schlemmer 477 N Miami St

1994

Honeywell Center, 275 W Market John M. Soderberg St

2008 installed/ 2009 dedicated 2005?

Charley Creek Garden, 551 N Miami St Charley Creek Garden, 551 N Miami St

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

Memorial Hall-Judicial Center Believed to be added after (center of Hill Street between construction of building Wabash and Miami) 1932

Kenny Martin

Michael Smith Marty Kermeen unknown?

unknown?

Northeast corner of Court House, Charley Keck Wabash, and Hill

Alexander New, Commissioned

Modoc's Market, 205 S Miami St

1982

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

William Stouffer

Historical Features/Other Art

Date Installed 2008 2005/2007 unknown?

Advertising Art

mural

unknown?

Location Charley Creek Inn

Schlemmer Brothers building, 108 W Canal St Corner building - Market and Wabash northeast side Spiece, 306 Manchester Ave, Wabash, IN

Additional Information

Kenny Martin

Painted from photographs

Space leased by Mike Beauchamp Kenny Martin and Rick to downtown businesses for Fischer advertising unknown?

Statue

Fall 2009

Elizabeth Pearson City Clock

clock

2009

Honeywell Center Clock Mausoleums

clock

2001 various

Honeywell Center, 275 W Market stock item St Falls Cemetery various

various

Various Churches

1899

Wabash Middle School

Designer Rich Fischer

Chief Oskewawa

statues

Replica at Wabash County Historical Museum

2005 (Nov. 10)

mural

9 White Bronze Soldier and Sailor

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

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

Advertising Art

Stained Glass Windows

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

Matthew Burg

2006

1999 dedicated

Additional Information

Mo Money Molds

Wabash Carnegie Public Library, stock item 188 W Hill St

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

Anonomously Donated to Athletic Department. Also has the name "Shepherd" on it. The company is out of Michigan. In recognition of Ms. Pearson's financial gift to the Library Donated by Joe and Peg Yarnelle Inventory Needed

various

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 project

Appendix Photo Credits Keck Unveiling - Indiana Historical Society Cloudgate - City of Chicago Lincoln Statue - Wabash Historical Museum Postcard - Unknown Garver Sculpture Plaza - Honeywell Center Modoc’s Market - Kellie Brace Charley Creek Inn Exterior - Wabash EDG Charley Creek Inn Interior - Wabash EDG Charley Creek Inn Exterior - Charley Creek Inn Charley Creek Inn Interior - Charley Creek Inn Wabash Marketplace Office - Kellie Brace Lincoln Statue - Wabash Plain Dealer Downtown Bench - Kellie Brace Downtown Trash Can - Kellie Brace Downtown Bike Rack - Kellie Brace Mammoth Building Site - Kellie Brace Tremont Plaza - Kellie Brace Paradise Spring Riverwalk - City of Wabash Wabash City Park - City of Wabash Centennial Man - Charley Creek Gardens

Cover Introduction Introduction Table of contents 1 1 2 2 2 2 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 7 7 7

10