Office of Central Services, Art in Public Places

Art in Public Places is a dynamic process that challenges artists to respond innovatively to the rich cultural and ethnic diversity of Prince George's County.

Mission

The Prince George's County Art in Public Places program was created to visually enrich the human environment, provide opportunities for artists to work on a large scale in a public context, and lead to increased citizen recognition of the ability of artists to contribute in a significant and beneficial way toward the visual enhancement of public settings.

Goals

The Program

Created by County Council legislation in 1988, the Prince George's County Art in Public Places (AIPP) Program requires that at least one-percent of construction costs of new County governmental buildings or major renovations of existing government buildings be designated for the acquisition and installation of artwork. All works of art become the property of the County, which assumes the responsibility for the custody, supervision, maintenance and preservation of the art. The Art in Public Places Plan and Implementation Guidelines [CR-6-1990; CR-11-2002] require a seven-member Art in Public Places Panel appointed by the County Executive and approved by the County Council to serve staggered three-year terms. This Panel acts in the public interest on matters relating to the program and supports the program's goals and objectives. The Panel is responsible for the selection, planning, maintenance, public education and approval of artwork required by the program. Panel members include at least one representative from the County Council, County Executive's Office, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Prince George's Arts Council, two citizens, an expert in Art in Public Places guidelines and program, and two citizens [CB-75-1997, section 2-a].

The Prince George's County Art in Public Places program also can encourage and facilitate collaborations between government agencies, the private sector and others to visually enhance the environment and help develop and display an art culture for the County.

The Panel

The Selection Process

The Art in Public Places Panel makes the final selection for all artwork commissioned or purchased as part of the County's percent for art program. The Panel appoints a Project Advisory Committee for each project to assist in the selection of artists. This Committee consists of a combination of County architectural/design or construction management professional(s), arts community representative(s), community representative(s), Art in Public Places Panel member(s) and administrator, building occupant, as well as others with special interests in the particular project.

The selection of artwork, whether for purchase or commission is based on the following criteria:

In general, artwork or proposals for artwork or commissions are selected by one of the following procedures:

Open Competition: A general call for entries or artists for a specific project is issued requesting artists to submit evidence of previous work. From these submissions a select number of artists are chosen to develop detailed proposals for which they are compensated.

Invitational Competition: A selected number of artists are invited to submit proposals for a specific site for which they are compensated.

Direct Selection: An artist is selected to develop a full proposal for a specific project for which the artist is compensated.

Commissioned Projects

Accokeek Branch Library

A new construction project brought a 16,500 square foot community library to Accokeek. The new library, nestled against a wooded backdrop, is located on Livingston Road and Indian Head Highway. The architecture and interior design draws from the natural wooded environment surrounding the site.

A steel "reading” tree sculpture relief is installed in the interior lobby wall spanning 10 feet wide by 8 feet high. The branches of the tree include "book" leaves and whimsical geometric abstract figures reading books on a branch and at the base of the tree. The sculpture draws from the concept that knowledge from books is sprung forth continually and is forever growing from past knowledge. In the public library knowledge is accessible as fruit from a tree inspiring both children and mature audiences.

About the Artist: Mr. Morris is a native of Prince George's County and resident of Accokeek. A sculptor working primarily in welded steel, he uses angular shapes, particularly the pyramid, in a figurative format. He expands the modular method used in minimalism to a post-modern approach blending humor with geometry. His works are in many public and private collections including Logan International Airport (Boston), Syracuse Civic Center (New York), National Arboretum (Washington, D.C.), and Laurel Lakes (Laurel, MD). "I want to tickle people's brains, make them smile." [Larry Morris]

Project Advisory Committee: Councilmember Marilyn M. Bland (9th District); Mike Davis, Prince George's County Office of Central Services; Maralita Freeny, director, Prince George's County Memorial Library System; Lauren Dugas Glover, Art in Public Places Director; Patricia L. Mote, Art in Public Places Panel; Jay Scott Odell, Friends of Accokeek Branch Library; Martin Conrad Seeboth, Prince George's County Memorial Library; Bill Suworoff, community representative and art professor; Jean Danforth Thompson, local artist.

Bunker Hill Fire Station

A new construction project that combined the Brentwood, Mt. Rainier and Colmar Manor Fire Stations to serve those communities as well as North Brentwood and Cottage City. Located at Rhode Island Avenue and Bunker Hill Road at 38th Street in Brentwood and Mount Rainier, the fire station is along the Gateway Arts District corridor anchoring the Brentwood-MT. Rainier end of the corridor.

A 12ft tall monumental stainless steel sculpture representing the three fire stations that create the Bunker Hill Fire Station. The sculpture stands on a concrete pad with a stainless steel plaque engraved with the town seals of the five communities served by the fire station and a quote from each fire station describing their role as "guardians" of the community. Spotlights illuminate the sculptures at night; while three artistically shaped stainless steel benches surround the sculpture and provide a place for meditation and reflection.

About the Artist: Mr. Odeleye has been a public artist for over 20 years. He received a Bachelor of Fine Arts and a Master of Fine Arts from Howard University with concentrations in arts education and sculpture. His work ranges from metals ? stainless steel and bronze -- to wood. Among some of his commissions are: a bronze sculpture at an Olympic stadium for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta; a stainless steel wall relief sculpture for a public library; and a hand-carved wooden ceremonial throne for the president of Morehouse College for the school ?s 1996 inaugural.

Project Advisory Committee: Angela Blocker, Gateway CDC; Lauren Dugas Glover, AIPP program director; Elizabeth Harty, local artist; Battalion Chief Ron Hassan, County Fire Department; Barry Miller, Brentwood Volunteer Fire Department; Wilcox Morris, local artist; former Councilmember Peter Shapiro (District 2); Jack Sloan, Prince George's County Office of Central Services; and Marye Wells-Harley, AIPP Panel member.

Cheverly Health Services Building

A major renovation project that created a “state of the art” Health Services Building in Prince George’s County. It is located on Hospital Drive adjacent to Prince George’s Hospital Center.

Design and Artist: “Floating Garden” by Mary Ann Mears
A timeless, colorful, whimsical, and uplifting series of 23 spiraling aluminum forms attached to five custom rolled polished stainless steel tubes that create a suspended sculpture in the new atrium on the front of the building. The sculpture is hung from the trusses of the two-story atrium, which serves as the main entrance to the building. "Floating Garden" was designed to compliment the site and the architecture by echoing the upward, spiraling movement one experiences approaching and entering the building. The color and forms may evoke natural images such as plants, birds and fish. It is meant to spark the imagination of visitors as well as uplift the spirit. Visitors can view the sculpture from the second and third floor atrium lobbies.

About the Artist: Ms. Mears received a B.A. with Distinction and with honors in Art from Mount Holyoke College and a Master in Creative Arts with sculpture as a concentration from New York University. She was an art professor and instructor at the Community College of Baltimore. Ms. Mears has been a leader in the in the arts for Maryland including serving as the founding chair of AEMS – Arts Education in Maryland Schools Consortium; a Trustee for the Maryland Citizens for the Arts and a member of the Maryland State Arts Council. Just recently she received a Distinguished Service Award from the National Art Education Association. Her work can be seen throughout the region – including the Southern Avenue Metro Station in Prince George’s County.

Project Advisory Committee: Jack Sloan, Prince George’s County Office of Central Services; Arthur Thacher, Health Office for the County; Valerie Watson, local artist; former Councilmember Marvin Wilson’s office (District 5); Lauren Dugas Glover, AIPP program director; and various members of the AIPP Panel.

Department of Corrections

This Mosaic glass and copper tile mural is in the family waiting area at the County Detention Center located at 13400 Dille Road (at Brown Station Road) in Upper Marlboro. The 5.5’ x 12.5’mural focuses on transformation and our personal ability to improve things in our environment and our lives. The backdrop of this calming mural is the transformation of the environmental clean up of the Anacostia River and the resurgence of the Chad fish (indigenous to the river), along with recovered copper from the 2004 fire at the historic Duvall Wing of the Prince George’s County Courthouse fire, which was transformed to create tiles and integrated in the mural. The piece is designed to visually remind and encourage the viewer to use their abilities to transform their lives.

About the Artist: This Prince George’s County Artist has been working as a professional mosaic artist since the late 90’s. A native Washingtonian, Ms Theberge received early training at the San Francisco Art Institute where she majored in painting and drawing. She lived in China for several years where she studied the language and received a certificate in Chinese painting in 1992. She has studied in Hong Kong where she specialized in glass and ceramic mosaics. Her works can be seen in Mainland China; Hong Kong; Macau, India; and, the United States. She has done large-scale public art commissions for the Urban Council of the Hong Kong government, the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, the Arlington County Parks and Recreation, and here in Prince George’s County in the Gateway Arts District. Ms. Theberge lives and works in Mt. Rainier in the Gateway Arts District.

Duvall Wing-Prince George's County Courthouse

A major 151,000 square foot renovation and systems upgrade that will house courtrooms and Chambers of the Circuit Court. The Duvall Wing also provides access to other parts of the County's courthouse complex, including the Criminal Court Complex and the Marbury Wing.

Five leaded stained glass windows will be installed in former recessed information windows in the entrance lobby and main corridor of the restored late 19th century building. The stained glass windows are framed by the building's original mahogany millwork. The design embodies some of the key concepts and symbols that form the justice system, projects the courts as a community institution that fosters our society's pursuit of truth and equal justice under the law, and reflects the sense of pride in an institution that is dedicated to the community's welfare at large.

Anticipated Completion Date: Due to the 2004 fire at the Duvall Wing of the Courthouse, the artwork will be completed to coincide with the completion of the rebuilt Wing.

About the Artist: Mr. Anderson is a native of Washington, D.C. He has been an artist for over 30 years including designing and fabricating public art pieces, and theater working primarily in stained glass. He also has worked in other mediums including sculpture, painting, drawing, computer graphics, printmaking and photography. He has been the chairperson of the Visual Arts Department at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, a presenter at Howard University Public Art Lecture series and a studied at the Corcoran School of Art (Washington, D.C.) and Howard University School of Fine Arts. He has stained glass commissions at the Columbia Heights Metro Station, Howard University Rankin Chapel, and Saint Augustine Catholic Church among others.

Project Advisory Committee: Council member Marilyn Bland (9th District); Marva Jo Camp, Art in Public Places Panel member; Lauren Dugas Glover, Art in Public Places Director; Freddie Larkin, community representative and local artist; The Honorable Judge Larnzell Martin, Associate Judge, 7th Judicial Circuit Court; John McCarty, University of Maryland, Department of Art; The Honorable Rosalind Pugh, Clerk of the Circuit Court; Jack Sloan, General Services Division, Office of Central Services; and Dorothy Troutman, community member.

Hyattsville Justice Center

The artwork is located on the grassy area at the corner of Farragut and Rhode Island Avenue in front of the County Service Building in the City of Hyattsville, anchoring the Hyattsville end of the Gateway Arts District corridor. It is visible by vehicle traffic along Rhode Island Avenue and the Baltimore Avenue Bridge. It is accessible to pedestrians along Rhode Island Avenue and Farragut Street

Design and Artist: "Hyattsville Horn Section: An Urban Musical Instrument" by Christopher Janney. This interactive performance sculpture creates a "sonic portrait" of Prince George's County. It is composed of 5 colorful independent 9ft horn instrument forms spaced so people can walk among them. A map of the County is embedded in the instruments. There are a series of “hand plates” that when touched illuminate and the instruments play a sound or group of sounds from a "sound bank" -- a combination of environmental, historical and melodic sounds significant to the County and its impact on the region. A County-specific riddle is engraved on a stainless steel plaque at the center of the sculpture. When the riddle is deciphered and "hand plates" are touched in the correct pattern, the instruments will play a saxophone "short" in reply. The sculpture is lit from dusk to dawn.

The riddle:
Back to the old jail, listen for the key,
Weave a path through Hyattsville history
Touch each hand along the way
Then step in, and listen how the horns play.

About the Artist: Mr. Janney combines 20 years of background in architecture and jazz music to create performance sculpture. He has a M.S. in Environmental Art from MIT; He has a B.A. in Architecture and Visual Arts from Princeton University and has studied at the Dalcroze School of Music in New York. His interactive, musical and colorful works can be seen in public places ranging from public libraries, the Miami International Airport, and in the New York City Subway.

Project Advisory Committee: Theresa Grant, Acting Director, Department of Family Services for Prince George’s County; Major Roberto Hylton, District 1 Commander County Police Department; Patsy Mote, AIPP Panel Member; Lauren Dugas Glover, AIPP program director; Hampton Olfus, local artists; former Councilmember Peter Shapiro (District 2), and John Snogren, local artist representing the City of Hyattsville.

County Service Building At The Hyattsville Justice Center

'Building and Sustaining Families' by Curtis G. Woody

The County Service Building is part of the Hyattsville Justice Center complex located in the 5000 block of Rhode Island Avenue at Farragut. It houses several divisions of the County’s Department of Family Services, County Commissions, and local nonprofit organizations.

This 16’ by 4’ mural symbolically represents the diversity of the County and the mission of the Department of Family Services. The mural, installed in the main lobby of the County Service Building, consists of stylized silhouette forms of interacting individuals and family units that overlay a colorful tapestry of textured acrylic blocks. Each color block represents a sustained individual, family, community or government unit needed to build and service successful families.

About the Artist: Curtis Woody is a local Prince George’s County Artist. He works in acrylics, oil, pen & ink, and textiles. His work ranges from figurative to abstract. He has several public art commissions in the region.

Largo-Kettering Branch Library

Located at 9101 Capital Lane in Largo, this branch is one of the more active branches in the County’s Library System.

This light-hearted, whimsical sculpture is part of the “birds i view” exhibit, a collaboration between the Prince George’s County Arts Council and the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission’s Department of Parks and Recreation. The Art in Public Places program was one of many sponsors of this 74-piece exhibit displayed in public spaces throughout the County during the summer of 2003. The bird sculpture is modeled after the County’s official bird – the Eastern Bluebird. The bird proudly sits on its perch in the Children’s section of the Largo-Kettering Branch Library. The felted sculpture is reminiscent of the Dr. Seuss characters and books was selected by the Arts in Public Places Panel in conjunction with the Largo-Kettering Branch Library staff and “Friends” group as well as the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System staff.

Direct Commission: By the Art in Public Places Panel as a “Wild Birds” sponsor of the program. Some creatively designed birds were auctioned to art and bird enthusiasts in November 2003 following the exhibition. All proceeds from this exhibit and auction supported the Prince George’s Arts Council Arts in Education programming initiatives.

A colorful hand-felted three panel wall mural series will be added to the public art collection at the library. The new work depicts the complexities of our lives through intellectual curiosity and exploration, celebration of music, arts and dance. In addition to the hand felting done by Ms. Bancroft to create these three murals, she also hand dyed all of the wool used in this project. This project is an extension of the hand-felted bird sculpture installed in the children’s section of the library.

About the Artists: Barbara Bancroft is a Hyattsville artist who has been involved with felting as an artwork form for many years. She brings this unique craft to this sculpture as a foray into the public art arena. Steven Weitzman, whose studio is located in the newly established Gateway Arts District in Brentwood, completed the bird shell design and fabrication. Mr. Weitzman has numerous public art commissions across the country.

Marbury Wing – Prince George’s County Courthouse

The Marbury Wing Expansion is part of the Prince George’s County Courthouse Complex located in Upper Marlboro encompassing the block at Water and Main Streets and Judges Way across from the Prince George’s County Equestrian Center. Three works-of-art by three artists in the Expansion are part of the Prince George’s County Courthouse collection of public artworks. These three wall sculptures feature recovered copper from the 2004 fire at the historic Duvall Wing of the Prince George’s County Courthouse. Each artist combined recovered copper with other materials to create unique works of art that reflect the justice system.

Project Advisory Committee: Office of Council Member Marilyn Bland (District 9); Lauren Dugas Glover, Art in Pubic Places Director, The Honorable Larnzell Martin, 7th Judicial Circuit Court, Prince George’s County; E. Clark Mester, Professor of Fine Arts, Bowie State University; The Honorable Rosalyn Pugh, Clerk of the Circuit Court; Grace Simmons, AIPP Panel; and, Jack Sloan, Office of Central Services.

The artist combines the strength and durability of bamboo and copper to create this abstract piece that suggests renewal and resiliency. “Judicial Balance” is designed to have a contemplative and calming effect. The vertical orientation suggests positive outcomes. The blue ambient light casts a soft glow to the work giving it a sense of floating in space. Specked bamboo imported from Southeast Asia was sanded, primed, embellished with burned-in pattern designs and painted in hues of red, blue and green acrylics. The copper was heated and beaten to make it flexible. It was further filed and rubbed with steel wool to bring out the highlights and cut to form cuffs around the bamboo. Rawhide is wrapped around each intersecting pole. The color red signifies both the energy of the fire and the intense emotional energy enkindled during courtroom experiences. All work was done by hand by the artists. Energy efficient LED lighting was used to provide the ambient blue back lighting. The wall sculpture measures 8’ x 6’ x 9”.

“Judicial Balance” can be found on the 2nd floor corridor of the Marbury Wing Expansion in an alcove near the windows at the end of the hallway.

About the Artist: A Hyattsville resident, Mr. Davis, has more than 30 years of experience as an artist and creating public art around the world. He works in a variety of mediums including woods, ceramic tiles, stone, and fabric. His medium of choice most recently has been bamboo integrated with other materials. According to the artists, “the outcomes of the critical decisions made at the courthouse that have long-lasting impact on lives, individuals, families and society and affect the balance of ideals at the heart of our nation’s concept of right and wrong, freedom, fair play and equality.

This 8’ x 4.8’ x 9” wall sculpture reflects guidance and balance of the judicial system. The artist hand-worked the recovered copper, to create the fire-riddled copper backdrop which contrasts against four hand-cast resin/mica stones.
The resin stones are made to simulate translucent quartz crystals. Each stone is unique, reflecting individuality. Balanced upon a steel rod, each stone features sections of polished copper. Steel spacers separate each stone and are further integrated by intertwining copper wire. The horizontal alignment suggests tranquility and calm against the rippled, texture surface of the scorched copper. The Inuit Eskimo custom of stacking stones so one wouldn’t lose their way, as represented in this piece, provides the symbolic message of Guidance.

“Guidance” is located on the 3rd floor corridor of the Marbury Wing Expansion in an alcove near the windows at the end of the hallway.

About the Artist: Bret King works in a variety of mediums to create his unique artistic style. A sculpture teacher at Prince George’s County Bowie High School, he enjoys taking a variety of materials in their raw state and transforming them to create a new form. He brings 15 years of experience as an artist to this project drawing on the symbolism of durability, balance, equality and guidance to create this abstract piece.

Designed to compliment and continue the strong geometries and symmetry of the courthouse, Washington Glass Studio develop this 40-piece high relief glass work of art. The series of 40 art glass panels were formed using recycled glass from Prince George’s County encapsulated with recovered copper from the Duvall Wing fire. The glass and copper symbolize durability and resiliency. Images portraying trust, community and conflict resolution are found in the 40 highly detailed custom molds of glass that were heated to 1600 degrees to form the highly sculpted glass blocks. The intense heat from the firing turned the once burned and scorched copper into the burgundy color that frames each relief glass block. The work consists of 90 percent of materials from Prince George’s County. The two panel wall sculptures measure 6’11 x 1’4.5” x 1” each.

“A Testimony of Community “is located on the 1st floor corridor of the Marbury Wing Expansion in an alcove near the windows at the end of the hallway.

About the Artist: Washington Glass Studio has more than 65-years of combined experience with glass, steel, sculpture, architectural, neon, and public art installation. Located in the Gateway Arts District, Washington Glass Studio is a working studio with a school that provides sculptural glass education serving students, artists and the general public. According to Washington Glass, “Our intent was to have people look at each image or symbol and create their own meaning.”

Contact Information

Art in Public Places
Prince George’s County
Office of Central Services
1400 McCormick Drive, #240
Largo, MD 20774
ldglover@co.pg.md.us
301-883-6201

Art in Public Places