New fire station wall will be a work of art By ANNETTE ESTERHELD Staff Writer
About a year from now as you turn onto Health Center Drive heading towards the city gym or senior center, what do you want to see on the large mural wall at the new fire station?
That's one of the questions that a small group of Bowie area residents tried to answer last week for the potential artists of the wall. Since the wall will be a 21.7-foot-long, 8-foot-high canvas, that's an important question.
Sophia Bottega, who came with her father Michael, said the wall should "draw your attention and be bright-colored. It should be something you remember."
"As you drive by, what will make you slow down to see what the wall is all about?" Cindy Fletcher-Holden asked.
Fletcher-Holder, a muralist, is one of the artist finalists. She is teamed up with photographer Louisa Woolery. The other finalists are Cheryl Foster, who works in mosaic tile, metals and mixed media, and Deidre Saunder, a mosaic tile artist.
"Right now this mural is an open bag. It could take many shapes and forms," Lauren Glover, director of Art in Public Places for Prince George's County, told the group.
She explained that the artists will gather information about Bowie to help them design their entry that they will submit in September. The artist who wins will receive a grant for $34,000 to be used for materials not only for the mural, but for its installation.
Michael Bottega asked how far back the mural would be from Health Center Drive. "It will be set back about 100 feet from the road," Chief Paul Cruz, Prince George's County Fire Department battalion chief, told Bottega.
Cruz also said the mural should "make you stop," should "grab your eye."
"The artwork could tell a story," he added. He also said the fire department sees the mural as tying back to the community. "We don't want to see a fire engine," he said. "We want to see something that reaches out to the community, because we serve the community."
Diversity, multigenerational community and a community that's oriented toward service to others, all these were mentioned by the attendees. Should the mural's impact be felt as people drive by or as they walk up to the mural? Should the art reflect Bowie, and if so, how?
Bottega said he wants to experience "something different every time he views the wall." Artist George Tuggle said the mural wouldn't have to be flat, but could be something like "a relief, something that would give an illusion of sculpture."
"We want the artists to obtain as many ideas as they can and have as much information as they can about Bowie's history and direction so they can develop a site-specific mural," Glover told the Blade-News earlier this week.
For information on the project and to send your thoughts on what the mural should include, e-mail Glover at LDGlover@co.pg.md.us.
