Here is a little blurb interview NH Magazine did with me about our local - Rochester, NH literary and visual artist's group. We are embarking on a huge project which involves our members - both poets and visual artists to create 10 sculptural larger than life shoes - all different - for a summer public art project. Why shoes you ask? Rochester was a base for four different shoe manufactures including Zodiac, who made the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders boots! The history is full of interesting anecdotes as well as some deep roots for many of the cities residents. Our poet laureate Andrew Perieale is creating an oral history based on the stories he is gathering during the winter to present at our unveiling in June. It's a pretty deep project, including a shoe workshop with school age children to create many little sculptures for the celebration as well.
Sculptor Adam Pearson is creating the sculptures with members and each team of artist/poet will create unique pieces and corresponding poems, which will be placed around the city as a walking tour.
We have to raise $20,000 for the project but I am happy to report we are more than half way there! It's cool to know that all the artists will be paid well for their work and we will be giving $5000 in scholarships to our local high school for exiting seniors who are perusing literary or visual art degrees!
