See Her by Ann Lewis Honored at Americans for the Arts Annual Convention in Denver
Americans for the Arts today honored Now + There's mural project, See Her, by Ann Lewis and 48 other outstanding public art projects created in 2017 through the Public Art Network Year in Review program, the only national program that specifically recognizes the most compelling public art. Chosen by public art experts, the roster of selected projects was unveiled this morning at Americans for the Arts’ Annual Convention in Denver. This is the 17th year that Americans for the Arts has recognized public art works
See Her bears witness to the hopes, doubts, and humanity of incarcerated women and reflects on how choices we all make have the power to support their future success. Commissioned by Now + There and conceived by artist-activist Ann Lewis, this temporary mural at 808 Tremont Street in Boston was designed in collaboration with a local residential reentry facility for incarcerated women run by Community Resources for Justice. Creating this piece has illuminated the specific realities, desires and decisions facing women transitioning out of prison. The mural, which boldly features photographic elements and paint, is a reflection on the inherent worth, strength, and potential of these women and all women.
Kate Gilbert of Now + There says, "We selected Lewis as the first commissioned artist in our 2017 Year of the Woman programming because of her commitment to motivating social change. Lewis' proposal resonated with our mission to present work that challenges our biases and sparks conversation: she wanted to meet with incarcerated women transitioning out of prison, hear their stories, share practices for self-empowerment, and de-stigmatize their history. She wanted to encourage their belief in their potential. She wanted their stores to be heard. She wanted their faces to be seen. Today we are grateful and incredibly proud that Americans for the Arts and the Public Art Network Year in Review committee is acknowledging the power of this work, lifting up Ann's activist vision, and honoring the women reflected in this piece."
“The best of public art can challenge, delight, educate, and illuminate. Most of all, public art
creates a sense of civic vitality in the cities, towns, and communities we inhabit and visit,” said
Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts. “As these Public Art Network
Year in Review selections illustrate, public art has the power to enhance our lives on a scale
that little else can. I congratulate the artists and commissioning groups for these community
treasures, and I look forward to honoring more great works in the years to come.”
The projects selected for Year in Review can be viewed on this page and are on display
throughout the Annual Convention. Three independent public art experts—Bryan Lee, Jr.,
director of design at Colloqate Design in New Orleans; Karen Mack, executive director of LA
Commons in Los Angeles; and Denver artist Patrick Marold—discussed the trends they
uncovered while examining hundreds of submissions in selecting this year’s choices for the
most exemplary, innovative permanent or temporary public art works created or debuted in
2017.
The complete presentation, which includes photos and descriptions of all 49 projects, will be
available for purchase through Americans for the Arts’ store.
Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts
education in America. With offices in Washington, D.C., and New York City, it has a record of
more than 55 years of service. Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving
local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate
all forms of the arts. Additional information is available at www.AmericansForTheArts.org.