Public art: Walters Museum art in public places initiative could be "deployed" by community art groups

A colleague was the judge for a community art exhibition, sponsored by a a group and art center in a large neighborhood, but not operating at the scale of an entire city.  

Some of the works were pretty cool and I was thinking about how to reach more people and expose them to the work.

Raby Castle, the Seat of the Earl of Darlington

by Joseph Mallord William Turner

In St. Mary's Park, Baltimore

In 2012, the Walters Museum in Baltimore displayed reproductions of paintings in their collection in various public space locations in the city and Howard County, such as Hampden, the Inner Harbor etc. ("Walters Art Museum goes off the wall," Baltimore Sun).  Called Off the Wall, they did it for a few years in the early 2010s.

Each work is replicated on vinyl, framed, and placed in the public space, labeled.  The program was funded through a donation by CFG Community Bank.  I don't know why they didn't continue the initiative as it's a great way to spread the benefits of art beyond a museum's walls, and should generate greater interest in visitation.

But the program could be delivered at different scales, at the city scale like the Walters program, or even at the scale of a large neighborhood.  With works by highly acclaimed artists, or by local artists.  (Or even works owned by prominent collectors in the community.)

Imagine the Park City Art Association doing this around Park City, or the Capitol Hill Art League around the Capitol Hill neighborhood in DC, the Alexandria Art League in Downtown Alexandria, etc., with works by living local artists.

Nina - Lian Sever - Acrylic - 36x48 - $2270

This painting was an award winner in a current exhibition by the Capitol Hill Art League at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop in DC.  It'd be cool to see it up in the Eastern Market Metrorail Plaza, in Seward Square Park, or other highly visible locations throughout Capitol Hill.

I also like this idea from the standpoint of dynamic versus static public art.  People tend to take for granted public art works that don't change.  To combat that, mix works up.  Be dynamic.