Chair City Art

Project Phases

  • Phase I:  Theme Chair Design Contest
  • Phase II:  Chair City Art Mural
  • Phase III:  Chair City Art Installation
  • Phase IV: Chair City Scavenger Hunt
 
 

GOAL: 

To encourage residents and visitors to stroll beyond the Big Chair and visit some of our local business and restaurants, shop and eat.

Phase 1: Theme Chair Design Contest

The Theme Chair Design was organized to encourage greater involvement from local artists and from the community. We had 38 artists of all ages who submitted artwork - ages ranging from five to senior citizens. PACE awarded a total of $900 in prize money for the first, second, and third place winners.

The judges had such a difficult time determining the winners that Uptown Thomasville pitched in an additional $350 for several Honorable Mention awards. Southern Sisters Restaurant was gracious enough to donate their banquet room and appetizers for a Meet the Artist Event. All pieces submitted were on display with approximately 100 people in attendance.

Phase 2:  Chair City Art Mural

Local mural artist Dana Holliday was commissioned to paint the almost three story tree mural facing the side wall of City Hall. Chair designs included in the mural represent the winning submissions from the Theme Chair Design contest. The actual tree concept was taken from one of the pieces submitted in the design contest, and as an additional whimsy, The Big Chair is hidden in the mural. 

PACE was awarded a $1,000 grant from Arts United of Davidson County to help pay for the mural. Signage will soon be installed at the mural site crediting the many local artists whose theme chair designs were used in the mural.

Phase 3:  Theme Chair Installations

ACE was awarded a $1,500 grant from Arts United of Davidson County to help pay for the recreation of two chair designs. Two designs were selected and recreated by local sculptor Erik Beerbower into outdoor art installation pieces. These designs were selected for their capacity to withstand outdoor elements. The two chairs have been recently installed on East Main Street. The total cost of the chairs was $3,000. Plaques honoring the Theme Chair designers are in the works.

Special acknowledgements to community volunteers Melanie Doby of The Frame House, Marijean Fleming of Shalom Therapeutic Massage, and David Yemm of Yemm Photography, who helped raise funds for the project by selling ads and taking photographs for the Showcase of Business booklet. The entire booklet was designed and created by volunteers with the only cost incurred being the print cost. Through the grant, ad sales, and personal donations, PACE was able to proceed with the construction of the two chairs.

There are many more wonderful designs just waiting to be built. There are several phases to the Chair City Art project. One is a scavenger hunt that will encourage tourists go into the various participating businesses.