News Release

FORT WAYNE — The Allen County Bicentennial Executive Board is seeking 15 qualified artists or artist teams to paint murals on fiberglass sculptures. In the late summer and early fall of 2024, artists will be hired to paint murals on their assigned sculpture. Artists are invited to submit their qualifications for consideration. The artist application is posted on Allen County’s website, and the deadline for artists to apply is Friday, May 31.

This public art project is meant to symbolize Allen County’s 200th anniversary. Each sculpture will be painted with a theme that celebrates the unique communities within Allen County. The Allen County bicentennial board is working with community members to develop creative briefs, which highlight community assets, tell Allen County’s story, educate visitors and celebrate Allen County. After they are painted, these sculptures will be installed outdoors in high profile locations throughout Allen County in the following communities: Harlan, Hoagland, Zanesville, Monroeville, Leo-Cedarville, Huntertown, Grabill, Woodburn, New Haven and Fort Wayne. Public artwork is an essential building block in economic development and quality of place, and this project will bring another  public art feature to communities while  promoting awareness of the bicentennial.

Leaders of the “‘I’ Am Allen” sculpture project include the Allen County’s Bicentennial Executive Board, Allen County Board of Commissioners, Visit Fort Wayne, Greater Fort Wayne Inc., Fort Wayne Community Foundation and NewAllen Alliance with strong support and collaboration from Alexandra Hall with AH Public Spaces Consulting LLC.

“This project has the unique opportunity to highlight the individual identities of the communities throughout Allen County while bringing us all together to celebrate all we can accomplish together,” said Lindsey Sharp, vice president of NewAllen Alliance. “The NewAllen Alliance is honored to be part of this impactful, inclusive project.”

“Public art activates public spaces, and it creates a cultural destination. An educational project, like this, helps us tell Allen County’s story and engage with an audience while visitors move from business to business within our communities,” said Alexandra Hall, AH Public Spaces Consulting. “Indiana is filled with talented artists, and we look forward to seeing what the creatives in this community do with these sculptures.”

Funding for the project will come, in part, from Allen County. Additional funding will come from corporate sponsorships. The Community Foundation will serve as the fiscal agent for the initiative. Sponsorship opportunities are still available for this project as well as other bicentennial initiatives. Contact Irene Walters at [email protected] for more information. To contribute, visit the secure donation page hosted by the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne.