The Urban Salisbury Downtown Sculpture Collection started in 2001. It began as a collaboration between the Salisbury University Art Department, Parkside High School and Urban Salisbury. The goal is to create a sculptural walking path through downtown with art designed and constructed by students. Community donors finance individual sculptures.
SU faculty presents the design challenges to the students. Over the years, many students and faculty have contributed. As the Collection grew, a formal committee evolved. The current members are Nancie Booth, Susan Holt, Loudell Insley, Carlos Moreno and Pamela Olszewski.
Each sculpture starts with a sponsor from the community. The sponsor selects an existing design or commissions a custom concept. In the case of custom concept, SU art students are asked to submit rough drawings and one student’s is selected for more detailed design and ultimately, for construction. The student, the committee and the sponsor work together to refine the design until everyone is satisfied.
Originally, Parkside students cut the designs and welded the pieces together. But, as the designs grew more intricate, MaTech Inc., a local corporation, donated their time and machinery to cut most of the designs from steel. R.D. Grier and Sons construct the frames and welds the pieces together. The Salisbury Public Works Department installs the finished sculpture. As a final step, a plaque is added to the base of the sculpture to identify the student designer and the sponsor.
The first 4 sculptures were installed in the summer of 2003 along Route 13 in conjunction with the Maryland State Highway Administration, Church Street project.A second group of 3 sculptures was installed in 2005 along Carroll Street. Production was made possible through the technical assistance of MaTech Industries. Another sculpture was installed in 2009. Two more will be installed in 2010.
Each piece is a unique work of art and a tribute to someone special, an institution or a corporate sponsor. They help to make Downtown Salisbury truly special.