Issue link: https://townofcary.uberflip.com/i/320439
Chapter 5 ! Cary Public Art Opportunities 36 Temporary Art Temporary public art offers opportunities for art projects that are only possible in a specific space and time frame. The scale and excitement of these art projects can provide a riveting sense of excitement and discovery. Opportunities include performanc es (dance, theater, story telling, music) in specific locations, such as the steps of the Art Center, or, for example, the open green space across from the Arts Center. Other opportunities in interesting locations might be lighting, sound, and video proj ections. A "Movie Night" with movies shown on the side of a building is a great way for people to come together and experience D owntown in an exciting new way . Possible sites along Chatham Street include the Gothic Revival house, which might either serv e as a backdrop for a performance, or renovated as a restaurant, or gallery. Other possibilities are the blank walls of buildings on Chatham Street and the bank plaza at the intersection of Chatham and Academy, whi ch might become an opportunity for a min i park/seating area. Food is always a crowd pleaser , and snack wagons could be designed by artists f or special evenings, like "Final Friday." Academy Street and Dry Avenue Site A downtown park, the Cary Arts Center , and numerous civic facilities surroun d the corner site at the intersection of Dry Avenue and Academy Street. Its prime location makes this site suitable for a wide range of public art. With its juxtaposition to the Arts Center on Academy Street, this site warrants a highly visible art proje ct that defines this end of downtown as the cultural arts district. Public art should also be integrated into paths connecting the site to the park and other adjoining public places. This location could be a magnet destination place, bringing both visitors and citizens to d owntown activities such as performances or a Farmer's Market. Public art should be incorporated into the early planning and development stages of this site so that work on both can proceed in tandem, saving time and money. Gateways t o Cary There are many entrances and approaches to Cary from a range of arrival points. Public art should herald the gateways through a cohesive me s sage for both arrival and departure, signage or other projects. Examples of gateway art types include light ed sculptures as beacons and artist - designed wayfinding signs. Major downtown intersections are a prime location for public art because they welcome the visitor to downtown and ori ent the visitor to downtown and orient the traveler through wayfinding or l andmarks. The Harrison Street and Academy Street intersections on Chatham should be priority areas for public art.