Artist Initiative

Project Details by Fiscal Year
2016 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$10,000
Fund Source
Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund
Recipient
Susan D. Westley Seeger
Recipient Type
Individual
Status
Completed
Start Date
March 2016
End Date
February 2017
Activity Type
Grants/Contracts
Counties Affected
Anoka
Hennepin
Ramsey
Sherburne
Wright
Anoka
Hennepin
Ramsey
Sherburne
Wright
Project Overview
Artist Initiative
Project Details
Seeger will create a life-size sculpture of a deer made from bicycle parts and stainless steel to be installed on the Hillside Park Bike Trail in Elk River.
Competitive Grant Making Body
Board Members and Qualifications
Ardell Brede: Mayor of Rochester, elected 2002.; Peggy Burnet: Businesswoman, art collector, and community volunteer. Chair of the Nominating Committee, Smithsonian National Board. Trustee, Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. Vice Chair, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Michael Charron: Dean of the School of the Arts, Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota. Chair, Minnesota State Arts Board.; Rebecca Davis-Lee: Touring pianist, piano and music theory teacher; Sean Dowse, Executive director, Sheldon Theatre. Board member for Minnesota Music Coalition, Minnesota Citizens for the Arts, and Anderson Center for Interdisciplinary Studies, Treasurer, Minnesota State Arts Board.; David Glenn: Executive director of the Minnesota Project, ceramic artist; Thomas Moss: Consultant to nonprofits and government agencies; Janice Sivertson: Gallery owner and visual artist; Dobson West: Senior advisor, Spell Capital Partners Fund
Advisory Group Members and Qualifications
Katayoun Amjadi: Ceramist; assistant to director at Circa Gallery; John Cox: Artist; instructor of visual arts and art history; Elizabeth Devine: Jewelry designer and lettering artist; Southeastern Minnesota Visual Artists co-op board member; Miigis Gonzalez: Visual artist; Anna Metcalfe: Visual artist and educator; Anders Nilsen: Award-winning author and artist of graphic novels; Jehra Patrick: Program director, Mn Artists; visual artist
Conflict of Interest Disclosed
No
Legal Citation / Subdivision
Laws of Minnesota 2015 Special Session, chapter 2, article 4, section 2, subdivision 3
Appropriation Language

ACHF Arts Access

2016 Fiscal Year Funding Amount
$10,000
Other Funds Leveraged
$77
Direct expenses
$10,077
Proposed Measurable Outcome(s)

Expand/ further develop my artistic abilities by transitioning from working exclusively with mild steel, into working with stainless steel. The techniques I'll master by working on this piece, (hopefully the first of many), will be evident upon completion/ installation of the sculpture. 2: I feel the trails already interested in my work would feel confident seeking funding for installations at their parks when they see this initial sculpture. Public reaction will show the initial sculpture has been well-received. Other trails commissioning work will show the idea of sculpture at public trails is a concept that will work to spread public art to a new audience.

Measurable Outcome(s)

This project allowed me to successfully transition into working in stainless steel, making me a more competitive public art sculptor. The quality of the sculpture is easy for all to see in its new public home at Montiview Park in Monticello. Upon its installation, the city, very pleased with this project, almost immediately commissioned me to create two more sculptures out of stainless steel for another park in their town. 2: This project demonstrated parks and trails are perfect venues for sculpture, and I was immediately commissioned for more work. The sculpture and project itself; the fact that it is at a mountain bike trail, definitely got people's interest. I have been able to talk to four parks systems so far about how to seek funding and commission art for their trails. I feel this idea will take root and spread. I'm hoping to do another similar project in greater Minnesota in 2019 or 2020.

Description of Funds
Source of Additional Funds

Other, local or private

Project Manager
First Name
Susan
Last Name
Westley Seeger
Organization Name
Susan D. Westley Seeger
State
MN
Phone
(763) 633-9232
Email
pseudosu64@gmail.com
Administered By
Administered by
Location

Griggs Midway Building, Suite 304,
540 Fairview Avenue North,
St. Paul, MN 55104

Phone
(651) 539-2650 or toll-free (800) 866-2787
Email the Agency