News
September 6, 2007
Meet The Art-On-The-Move Artists, Part 2
[NOTE: This is the second of three press releases featuring the artists whose work will appear on the sides of Capital Area Transit buses as part of the City of Raleigh Arts Commission’s Art-On-The-Move public art project. This press release profiles four of the selected artists. A total of 12 artists were selected. The other two press releases in this series are listed below.]
Part 1 | Part 3
A recent Wake Tech graduate, two working artists and a professor at N.C. State University are among the 12 area residents whose artwork has been chosen to appear on Capital Area Transit buses traveling throughout Raleigh. Art-On-The-Move is a new public art project sponsored by the City of Raleigh Arts Commission (CORAC) in partnership with Capital Area Transit (CAT).
Art-On-The-Move will roll out on Saturday, Sept. 22, in conjunction with Visual Art Exchange’s Street Painting Festival and “World Car Free Day.” A bus ‘christening’ will take place at 6 p.m. in Moore Square in downtown Raleigh. Mayor Charles Meeker and other city officials will be in attendance.
The 12 artists whose work will be emblazoned on the sides of CAT buses either live, work or attend school in Raleigh. Included in this exclusive group of area artists are Matthew Kershaw, Keith Norval, Anna Podris, and Robert Schrag. The following is information about their winning artwork that will be placed on the sides of CAT buses:
Matthew Kershaw
Mr. Kershaw’s two-piece artwork is a tribute to diversity as it shows the hands of people from different ethnicities (larger image ). The hands spell out the words “CAT bus.”
“In my piece, I wanted to show the cultural diversity of people who ride the bus,” he said. “There is an Asian hand, an elderly hand, (and hands) of a Hispanic, an Anglo, an African-American and a young child. I wanted (to create) something that is easy to look at but with a slight catch.
“I think the art on the bus is friendlier than the advertisements. I have always liked art in public. With art on the side of (CAT buses), it will make the buses a more welcoming approach,” Mr. Kershaw added.
Mr. Kershaw graduated from Wake Tech in July with a degree in Automotive Technology. He often rode a CAT bus to Wake Tech. Mr. Kershaw currently works as a mechanic at Pep Boys Automotive Supercenter in Garner. Painting and drawing are among his hobbies.
Keith Norval
The winning artwork submitted by Mr. Norval contains drawings of some of Raleigh’s most recognizable institutions and landmarks (larger version ).
“My piece is a reflection of the different elements of Raleigh,” Mr. Norval said. “The large oak tree represents the City of Oaks, the fish represents the Neuse River, the pig represents agriculture and farming, (and) the cat represents the CAT bus system. There’s also the Progress Energy, BB&T and State Capitol buildings. My approach to this project (was) to use bold, simple shapes and bright flat colors…
“Art-On-The-Move is a great project that will gain recognition for local artists and add to the presence of the arts community in the area,” he added.
Mr. Norval works out of his art studio at Artspace in downtown Raleigh, doing oil paintings and drawings. He has done solo exhibitions, two-person shows and group exhibitions in the Raleigh area and other cities. For more information about Mr. Norval’s artwork, visit www.keithnorval.com. Mr. Norval graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s of fine arts degree in Illustration from the Savannah College of Art and Design.
Anna Podris
Also a graduate of the Savannah College of Art and Design earning magna cum laude honors, Ms. Podris submitted two paintings showing buildings in urban areas (larger version ). She describes the paintings as a “celebration of the diversity of architecture and culture and the vibrancy of a healthy downtown.”
“With this design, I hope to channel the energies of new urbanism by creating the ideal city (in) my mind,” Ms. Podris said. “Each building is an imagined refuge
for the modern city dweller. I include other forms of life, such as trees, birds and plants because I feel these elements are an integral part of a living, breathing city.
“Having my image on the side of a (CAT) bus will allow people form all walks of life to share in my vision of an ideal city.”
Ms. Podris is a self-employed visual artist who also has a studio in Artspace in downtown Raleigh where she creates and sells her artwork. She specializes in colorful narratives with oil and encaustics. Her artwork can be seen by visiting www.annapodris.com. Ms. Podris has participated in art exhibitions in the Triangle and other areas.
Robert Schrag
Mr. Schrag also submitted two art drawings that have been chosen to appear on CAT buses. One is entitled “Beltline Boogie.” The other is “Through Every Window.” (larger version ).
“ ‘Beltline Boogie’ expresses the idea that while we are finding ourselves subjected to the seemingly inevitable (traffic) congestion that accompanies any thriving city, the proper perspective can turn that congestion into a source of artistic inspiration and levity,” Mr. Schrag said. “It urges me to see our temporary standstill as a chance to look around and discover the delightful little surprises lurking just outside our car windows.
"‘Through Every Window’ depicts what we might see if we allow our gaze to wander out one (building) window and into another."
A professor in the Department of Communication at N.C. State, Mr. Schrag describes himself as a self-taught artist “with a lot of help from my friends.” His artwork is made available for purchase on www.art.com.
Artists selections
A panel comprised of community members and representatives from the City of Raleigh Arts Commission and Capital Area Transit reviewed all artwork submitted for Art-On-The-Move prior to making final selections. The panel’s recommended selections of work submitted by 12 artists were reviewed and approved by the Arts Commission and the Raleigh Transit Authority.
The eight other artists whose art will be placed on the sides of CAT buses are Fabrizio Bianchi, Bart Cusick, Patrick FitzGerald, Paul Friedrich, Timothy Postell, Marianne Prince, Rebecca Rousseau and Mary Storms. The artwork will appear on the CAT buses for a period of up to one year.
Art-On-The-Move is a 30th anniversary public art project of the City of Raleigh Arts Commission. For more information, contact Belva Parker, the Arts Commission’s 30th anniversary coordinator, at 890-3610 or email Belva.Parker@ci.raleigh.nc.us.
Established in 1977, the City of Raleigh Arts Commission holds the distinction of being the first municipal arts commission created in North Carolina. Serving as the official advisory body and advocate for the arts to the Raleigh City Council, the Commission’s myriad activities encourage, support, and promote the arts in the Capital City.
Prepared by:
John Boyette
Public Affairs Specialist
Public Affairs Department
For More Information Contact:
June Guralnick
Arts Commission, Executive Director
City Manager Department
222 West Hargett Street, Room 504
Raleigh, NC 27601
919-890-3610
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