News Archive

Ghost Ballet Recognized as One of the Best Public Art Works of 2007

26 June 2008

For Immediate Release
Contact: Allison Reeves
(615) 254-6785
areeves@mercatuscom.com

Americans for the Arts Honors Forty-Five Works From Around the United States

NASHVILLE, TN, June 26, 2007—Ghost Ballet for the East Bank Machineworks by artist Alice Aycock, Nashville’s first work under the city’s Percent for Public Art Ordinance, was recognized Sunday at the Americans for the Arts annual convention as one of the best works of public art in 2007.

“We are thrilled that Ghost Ballet is known to be among the best in the nation and that our program is getting this kind of positive feedback,” said Norree Boyd, executive director of the Metro Arts Commission. “Nashville acquired a special work of art in the Ghost Ballet and we want to continue attracting outstanding artists locally, regionally and from around the nation.”

Ghost Ballet for the East Bank Machineworks was among only 45 selected for the honor of the best public art works in the United States. The 45 selected include projects from 29 cities in 19 states. Nashville’s first work of city-funded public art was chosen from more than 200 entries from across the country.

At the annual Public Art Year in Review conference session on June 22 in Philadelphia, two independent public art experts- Boston Architectural Center President Ted Landsmark and environmental artist Jody Pinto- presented their choices for the most exemplary, innovative permanent or temporary public art works created or debuted in 2007. The Ghost Ballet was only one of seven projects chosen by both experts, who judged the projects independently. This is the eighth year that Americans for the Arts, the nation’s leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America, has recognized public art works. The artists and organizations involved in commissioning these public art works will receive letters of recognition and congratulations from Americans for the Arts President and CEO Robert L. Lynch.

“As these Year in Review selections illustrate, public art enhances our lives like nothing else can,” Lynch said. “Whether subtly beautiful or vibrantly jolting, its power lay in the singular ability to make citizens stop, think and appreciate an artistic moment, no matter how brief.”

Nashville’s Ghost Ballet for the East Bank Machineworks, standing at 100 feet tall, 100 feet wide and 60 feet deep, sits on the remnant of a gantry crane once used to build and launch barges. The site, located on the East Bank Greenway by the Cumberland River, is adjacent to and highly visible from Nashville’s downtown Broadway district.

Ghost Ballet for the East Bank Machineworks has been garnering substantial publicity on the national arts circuit, with features in prominent magazines such as Sculpture, Public Art Review, and Art in America. Most recently it was selected for Art in America’s Annual Guide issue as one of the featured public art projects of 2007.

About the Metro Arts Commission

The Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission is a commission of the Metropolitan Nashville Government, established to provide leadership that stimulates and advances the arts to enrich the human experience for the community. Additional information about the Metropolitan Nashville Arts Commission is available online at www.artsnashville.org.

About Americans for the Arts

Americans for the Arts is the leading nonprofit organization for advancing the arts in America. With offices in Washington, DC, and New York City, it has a record of 48 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.

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