Resonant Progression by Royden Mills Honored Today at Americans for the Arts Annual Convention in Denver, Colorado

Edmonton – Americans for the Arts today honored 49 outstanding public arts projects created in 2017 through the Public Art Network Year in Review program, the only national program that specifically recognizes the most compelling public art. Chosen by public art experts, the roster of selected projects was unveiled this morning at Americans for the Arts’ Annual Convention in Denver. This is the 17th year that Americans for the Arts has recognized public art works.

Resonant Progression, created by Edmonton sculptor Royden Mills, consists of three sculptures placed in conceptually linked sites throughout Terwillegar Park. The sculptural components link the viewer with the site’s history and the sounds of nature, while offering an invitation to slow down and immerse in time and nature’s tempo.

“The sculptures, Potential, Resonant Point, and Beyond Listening, each offer a figurative and literal connection to a ‘resonant progression’,” explains Mills. “My intent was to metaphorically respond to the site, and through the inclusion of acoustic properties within each, construct a literal resonance. The sculptures are low-tech and rugged, marrying hand-welded steel with granite boulders I hand-selected from the Edmonton area. I envision it as a place where families may joyfully play for generations”.

“The best of public art can challenge, delight, educate, and illuminate. Most of all, public art creates a sense of civic vitality in the cities, towns, and communities we inhabit and visit,” said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts. “As these Public Art Network Year in Review selections illustrate, public art has the power to enhance our lives on a scale that little else can. I congratulate the artists and commissioning groups for these community treasures, and I look forward to honoring more great works in the years to come.”

The projects selected for Year in Review can be viewed on this page and are on display throughout the Annual Convention. Three independent public art experts—Bryan Lee, Jr., director of design at Colloquate Design in New Orleans; Karen Mack, executive director of LA Commons in Los Angeles; and Denver artist Patrick Marold—discussed the trends they uncovered while examining hundreds of submissions in selecting this year’s choices for the most exemplary, innovative permanent or temporary public art works created or debuted in 2017.

The complete presentation, which includes photos and descriptions of all 49 projects, will be available for purchase through Americans for the Arts’ store.

Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts and arts education in America. With offices in Washington, D.C., and New York City, it has a record of more than 55 years of service. Americans for the Arts is dedicated to representing and serving local communities and creating opportunities for every American to participate in and appreciate all forms of the arts. Additional information is available at www.AmericansForTheArts.org. (pr)