As efforts to revitalize downtown Joliet continue, the Joliet City Center Partnership (CCP), the City of Joliet and the Arts’ Commission have embarked upon a Public Art Project in the City Center.
The Downtown Music Box Project is a public art program that decorates city utility boxes throughout downtown and provides an opportunity to highlight local and regional artists. The project has a music theme and the artists’ work celebrates a band, musician, or song.
The utility boxes have a QR code which links to the website with more information on the artist and the song that inspired them. Local artists who worked on the project include Rene Rodriguez, Angelica Cristal, Donna Franks-Tapley, Karen Fike, Kelly Bartels, Dante DiBartolo, Margie Keniley, Sarah Comoda and Matt Jesiolowksi.
“Joliet has a rich music history and a strong local artist movement,” said Priscilla Cordero, Executive Director of the Joliet City Center Partnership. “This project is a perfect opportunity to blend both of those histories while also promoting downtown Joliet.”
Ron Romero, Chair for the Joliet Arts Commission said, “The Arts Commission provided some of the funding for this project through an Illinois Arts Council grant. We are very excited to have strong participation from local artists and an opportunity to showcase brand new art in downtown Joliet.”
Mayor Terry D’Arcy has made revitalizing downtown a top priority of the city and thanks the CCP for their help in this transformation. “Downtown is the jewel of Joliet and what better way to bring more attention to the region and our local artists than featuring their work in this manner. I encourage everyone to take a tour and see the artwork themselves,” D’Arcy said.
There was a ribbon cutting on October 30th for the new Downtown Music Box Project.
For more information about the CCP, visit www.jolietccp.com. For more information about this project, visit www.jolietccp.com/musicbox.
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