Three artists have been selected for Project 88, a public art program in which pianos are transformed into painted artworks and placed in public spaces.
The artists, Mary Ann Austin, Hillary Kempenich and Lillian Stegman, will paint original designs on pianos to create a functional artwork for the community to play and enjoy, according to a statement from Nicole Derenne, coordinator of the Grand Forks Public Arts Commission.
The pianos will be in the Grand Cities Mall and Altru Health System Rehab Center in Grand Forks and the River Cinema Mall in East Grand Forks.
Austin will paint her design, "The Secret Place," featuring a birch tree forest with flowers, on a piano at the River Cinema Mall near Mama Maria's Restaurant. She will begin painting the piano Saturday.
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Kempenich's design, "Fluidity," promotes a hopeful outlook in the face of challenges and will be painted on a piano at the Altru Rehab Center. She plans to begin painting on Monday.
Stegman's design, "Prairie Symphony," featuring a wheat field and blue sky, will be painted on a piano at the Grand Cities Mall. She begins painting on March 12.
Project 88 is funded by a grant from the Community Foundation of Grand Forks, East Grand Forks and Region. It is organized through a partnership between the North Valley Arts Council, the Public Arts Commission and the UND Student Group Project 88.
