Roles: BID Services Director, Deputy Director, Interim Executive Director
Myrtle Avenue Business Improvement District
Once drab and underutilized, these boxes containing water main and electric utilities now come to life each year with new vinyl art installations.
One of Myrtle Avenue’s biggest stakeholders and partners is Pratt Institute, “a world-class and internationally ranked college with programs in art, design, architecture, liberal arts and information studies.” I earned my graduate degree from Pratt and was happy to partner with them when they approached the Myrtle Avenue BID to bring art installations into the plaza through the Foundation department, and Foundation Expanded initiative that connects first year students with community-engaged works.
Throughout my roles as BID Services Director to Interim Executive Director I managed and maintained all public space efforts including the Myrtle Avenue Plaza where the Foundation Expanded initiative took shape. In collaboration with Pratt, I helped to oversee timelines, plaza logistics, programming efforts, and was part of the jury that helped choose the four different creative installations held there.
The utility boxes are wrapped in new art work each year and the first installation, seen here, incorporated colors found in the plants in and around the plaza.
As the plaza manager I was onsite to monitor the vinyl installation on all three utility boxes, and to make sure the vinyl was in good condition and not damaged throughput the year. Myrtle Avenue helped split the cost of the vinyl with the Foundation department.
The Pratt campus is known for its sculpture garden and I worked to bring that experience outside the campus and into the plaza by installing a plaque, matching those found on campus. Beyond showcasing their work, the plaque helps act as a start to real world experience for first year students.
With a year long run, these art installations help make the plaza a continual place of interest, while standing vibrantly against a wintery backdrop. Foundation Expanded takes place every April and kicks off a weekend of free programming that has included fashions shows, student bands, and live readings by senior age residents of the community.
The Foundation Expanded initiatives incorporates 4 different "sites" in the plaza. Here we see site 3 utilizing a 30ft by 10ft space, creating a ground mural showcasing the work of 16 different students.
Myrtle Avenue Plaza runs from Hall Street to Emerson Place. These art installations can be found on the utility boxes located in the heart of the Plaza, between Steuben Street and Emerson Place.