September 30: Colin's contest-winning sculpture is in place! It's at the corner of Bruce and Young at the Cooper-Young Community Association offices and will stay there as long as Cooper-Young is winning the contest.
The bottles are covered in phosphorescent paint which will glow in the dark.
Colin Kidder, winner of the Smallest User art contest, prepares to instal the sculpture at the Cooper-Young offices.
Dr. Arant, Chair of the U of M Journalism Department, interviews Colin about his design. Click here to see that interview.
The sculpture is being displayed at the corner of Bruce and Young because Cooper-Young is currently in the lead as of October 1. Make sure to go by and take a look!
Here is what Colin had to say about the design in his proposal:
"I would like to propose an outdoor sculpture that is minimal in form, but in keeping with the theme of the contest, references electrical energy. The sculpture, about the size of a phone booth, will be illuminated at night without the use of electricity and at a cost of $0.
Because this contest is about promoting environmentally responsible principles, my design will harness solar energy and will be constructed with recycled glass bottles collected from friends or possibly from residents and establishments of the two neighborhoods involved.
The insides of the bottles will be coated in a film of high-strength phosphorescent paint. During the day, they will appear clear, beautifully refracting the sun's light, but also storing up solar energy. At night, they will glow brightly until it is day again."
June 10: We have a WINNER!
Congratulations to Colin Kidder on his winning piece entitled "Solar Bottle Tower." Colin will construct the work of art over the next two months, and it will be displayed in the leading neighborhood at the beginning of August.
Colin will complete an M.F.A. in Sculpture this fall and has an M.L.S. in Intermedia Storytelling from the University of Memphis. He also has a B.A. in Painting from the College of Santa Fe.
Colin's work has been featured in numerous art shows, and he won the Best of Show award at the Art Museum at the University of Memphis (AMUM) 25th Annual Juried Art Exhibition in Memphis this year. He also won the Graduate Purchase Award at the AMUM 24th Annual Juried Art Exhibition in 2005.
May 26: The judges convened May 18 and applications are currently under review. The winning artist will be notified as soon as possible.
April 2010
The residents of Cooper-Young and Evergreen are hard at work reducing their carbon footprint, and we need your help to keep them motivated!
We are looking for artwork of any form that demonstrates this commitment to becoming The Smallest User.
What is the prize?
The winning artist will be awarded $1,000.
What is the contest and what are the requirements?
Sponsors are holding an art contest to find an original work of art that most exemplifies the spirit of The Smallest User contest and its energy conservation message.
- Artists are encouraged to use recycled, environmentally friendly, or sustainable materials.
- The work will be displayed prominently in Cooper-Young or Evergreen based on the leader of the contest starting in August and ending in December.
- The work must be easy to transport as it may be moved between neighborhoods throughout the year.
- The submitted work of art will become the property of the associated sponsors.
- In January 2011, the work of art will be awarded to the winning neighborhood by MLGW representatives for display in that neighborhood.
What are the deadlines?
- May 14: Deadline for submitting a proposal of the original design.
- The proposal must include a description and one or more of the following: a drawing, image, model, or computer file (high resolution JPEG, EPS, etc.)
- June 10: The winning design will be announced here on the Web site, The Smallest User's Facebook page, and via press release.
- July 30: The winner must complete the work of art and deliver it to the University of Memphis, Journalism Department, Room 300.
Who can enter?
Anyone. We hope to attract local artists, especially those from the Cooper-Young and Evergreen areas. All serious applications are welcome.
Who are our judges?
Theresa Andreuccetti, President of Graffiti Graphics
Bryna Bobick, Assistant Professor of Art Education, University of Memphis
Carissa Hussong, Executive Director of the National Ornamental Metal Museum
How do I apply?
Complete the application and send by e-mail to alakin@memphis.edu
OR
by mail to:
Ashley Akin
University of Memphis
Journalism Department
300 Meeman Journalism Bldg.
3711 Veterans Ave.
Memphis, TN, 38152-3290
Questions?
Contact Ashley Akin at 678.3669 or alakin@memphis.edu.
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