FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 28, 2010
CONTACT:
Lisa Davol, Turners Falls RiverCulture, Phone: 413-230.9910
riverculture@montague-ma.gov www.turnersfallsriverculture.org

An Artful Bike Rack for Turners Falls

Turners Falls RiverCulture is pleased to announce the installation of an artist designed public art bike rack on Avenue A near the Shea Theater, by Annaliese Bischoff, who will also be presenting creative economy successes of Turners Falls internationally.

Annaliese Bischoff conceived and designed an artful bike rack in an open design competition sponsored by RiverCulture this past year. The jury selected her entry as the winner. As a professor of landscape architecture at the University of Massachusetts and former resident of Montague, Annaliese has been interested in bikeways throughout her professional life. She is also an avid advocate of public art. The Boston Society of Landscape Architects is recognizing her efforts with an Honor Award this year for her help in organizing a recent public art symposium and exhibit at the University Gallery at the University of Massachusetts. She presented work about Turners Falls at both the symposium and exhibit. Several other artists from Turners Falls also participated. She will present more about the art successes in Turners at the Council of Educators in Landscape Architects (CELA) conference in Masstricht, in the Netherlands, in May, and the Fabos Greenway Symposium in Budapest, Hungary, in July. Working with Annaliese Bischoff, Gary Galvani of Industrial Sheet Metal in Hatfield fabricated and installed the work. Gary has extensive experience with designs in metal including an outdoor copper fountain at Smith College. As an avid fisherman Gary has developed a specialization in elegant fish-related fabrications for a range of applications.

An artful bike rack for Turners Falls: Drawing upon the historic settlement origins of Turners Falls, earlier known as the "Great Falls," where Native Americans gathered to celebrate the bounty of salmon in the river, native salmon inspired the idea for this bike rack design. Further inspired by Greek theater masks, referencing the adjacent location of the renovated Colle Opera House/Shea Theater, this artful design offers Turners Falls a bit of whimsy through the two salmon figures interacting. Through the theater mask motif, the salmon take center stage, out of the proverbial water. Simply, one fish represents comedy and the other tragedy. Importantly, this artful bike rack in the cultural heart of downtown offers cyclists a functional place to park their vehicles. It extends an invitation to bikers along the Canalside Bike Trail to come explore the culture in the center of town. The Gallery at Hallmark and Great Falls Discovery Center are also nearby. The piece also stands on its own as public art in the downtown streetscape.

"The arts are flourishing in Turners thanks in large measure to the vision, coordination, and inspiration of RiverCulture. The organization is succeeding with an exciting range of projects fueling not only the creative economy, but the souls of the community itself," notes Annaliese. "There is a welcoming, spirited, and inspiring environment in Turners for artists to make their contributions. I love feeling part of that community. Especially during these difficult economic times, the arts offer an even more vital and critical means of making connections, reaching people, and sharing spirit. There is a new renaissance in Turners where the arts are very alive."

"I hope everyone will enjoy the bike rack. Gary did an artful job fabricating this. I have really enjoyed designing it for Turners."

(Note:The Turners Falls Canalside Bike Trail was just recognized as the best urban bike path in the most recent issue of Yankee magazine's best of New England edition.)

There will be an artist's talk by Annaliese Bischoff on May 23rd at 1 pm at the Great Falls Discovery Center during Bike Week.

This project was made possible by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, Town of Montague, Western Massachusetts Electric Company, Hillside Plastics, and local sponsors.

Click here for more info on biking in and around Turners Falls

Turners Falls RiverCulture works to create a vibrant and connected community in the Turners Falls area through innovative partnerships and cultural programming.