Press Release: Grants Available to Local Artists to Create Public Art Sculptures

NEWS RELEASE
October 15, 2020
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Vallejo- Solano Country Transit (SolTrans) has expanded the Vallejo Transit Center located in the heart of downtown Vallejo, north through York Street. In an effort to enhance the already existing downtown Vallejo Art installations, SolTrans would like to add four to six sculptures. This project is designed to enlist a participatory element and community constructed processes to connect community members to public art. Participants will work with artists to create artwork for their downtown area. The main goal of this project is to create access, racial equity and the diversity that makes the Vallejo so unique.
Beth Kranda, SolTrans Executive Director said, “Our hope is that this process involves everyone in our community and produces art installments that provides them with a sense of pride.”
Funding for the project is provided by SolTrans through Solano Transportation Authority (STA). There will be 8 participants selected, who will work as a team in creating the design and installation of the artwork sculptures. The Vallejo Community Arts Foundation (VCAF) will manage the project under the direction of Executive Director, Renay Conlin. A series of free workshops for all artists in Vallejo and Benicia interested in learning more about public sculpture and receive training that will be provided by artists/teachers with many decades of professional experience. Final selection of the art will be done by SolTrans board members and community affiliates.
The proposed program for this call for artists was the brainchild of local artist and VCAF board Member, Tom Arie Donch. As part of the in kind donations for this program Tom Arie Donch will offer his Vallejo sculpture studios equipment and outdoor working areas for one or up to three months’ time. Additionally, all the time mentoring, instructing, and assisting in the creation of the public art by Tom Arie Donch would be donated making his sponsorship of this program
well over $50,000.
Renay Conlin VCAF Executive Director is very enthusiastic to lead the project said, “making Vallejo more vital attractive and unique by enhancing public infrastructure, art in public places will serve as a strong economic force, increasing acceptance and use of public transportation, attracting business, increasing property values and encouraging cultural tourism.”

For more information about the project and to download an application, please visit: https://www.vallejoarts.org. or call Renay Conlin at 707-515-6779 or email renayconlin@vallejoarts.org with questions.

Solano County Transit (SolTrans) has been the public transportation provider for south Solano County since July 2011. SolTrans provides local and SolanoExpress fixed routes, complementary paratransit, and subsidized Lyft programs. The agency is a Joint Powers Authority (JPA) that is governed by a six-member Board of Directors, composed of two representatives from the cities of Benicia and Vallejo, Solano County’s representative on the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), and a representative from the Solano Transportation Authority.

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