Ponies on Parade - Midwest City

[mmonroe]

http://midwestcityok.org/midwest-cit...ic-art-program

Midwest City Announces Public Art Program

Midwest City announces the implementation of a citywide public art program entitled, Ponies on Parade. The project is designed to enliven cultural activity in Midwest City and will feature Shetland ponies to be transformed into multimedia works of art by local artists and craftspeople.

According to Anais Starr, Community Development Department, the theme is a continuation of Midwest City’s motto of “Where the Spirit Flies High.” It is expected that selected artist should think of modifying this saying to match their design. It is thought that this will not limit the artist but rather provide a jumping off point for the artist’s imagination and design through development of this theme. Designs that are offensive, political or sexual in nature will not be accepted.

“The reason we have chosen to display Shetland Ponies as public art is because the ponies were a big part of the founding of the community by W.P. Atkinson,” Starr said. “As a marketing strategy, Mr. Atkinson would give away a Shetland Pony to families that purchased homes from him in the 1950’s.” As a result many original families to Midwest City had a Shetland Pony in their backyard for their children to enjoy. In addition, he created the pony barn and stable on his own property where community children could go to ride and enjoy the ponies. Thus began the two decade long Shetland Pony prominence in Midwest City life.

“We hope that the citizens of Midwest City will enjoy these ponies and learn about the history and culture which makes our city so unique,” said City Manager J. Guy Henson.

The ponies will be life size in a standing pose. Made of fiber glass, each pony is approximately 3 feet tall and 3 ½ feet long and 1 foot wide. The ponies will be placed in public outdoor spaces such as the Town Center Plaza and will be mounted to concrete bases with plaques that have been engraved with the design title, artist and sponsors’ names.

Once artists’ proposals are submitted, they will be reviewed by the Midwest City Public Art Panel. All designs will be evaluated to ensure they conform to the guidelines. The panel may reject any design that does not adhere to the guidelines. Once review is completed the approved designs will be shared with sponsors. An artist stipend is being offered.

In addition, the City will be seeking sponsors for each pony. Corporations, businesses and non-profits are encouraged to sponsor the ponies. If you are interested in learning more about to become a sponsor, please call 405.739.1229 or email astarr@midwestcityok.org. Sponsorship of the ponies is to begin immediately.

The application submission deadline for artists is, April 30th, 2012.

Please go to www.midwestcityok.org and click on Today I Want To:, located on the website homefor complete information regarding sponsorship opportunities and to download an artist application.

Sponsorship Packet
http://midwestcityok.org/Websites/MW...or__Packet.pdf
Artist Application
http://midwestcityok.org/Websites/MW...ion_Packet.pdf
Pony Diagram
http://midwestcityok.org/Websites/MW...ny_Diagram.pdf

[kevinpate]

MWC - Where the Spirit flies high and the stirrups hang low.


nah, it's cute. after a few years, maybe some of the ponies can come over to BT and graze near the bison corral (is that even still there?) or along the area where the river spur is being extended closer to the canal.

[mmonroe]

The application deadline for these have been pushed back to July 31, 2012.

If you're an artist, submit an idea.