Bikes of Olde Towne issues call for artists and bikes
By Main Street Clinton Director Tara Lytal
Clintonians and visitors have enjoyed the whimsical Bikes of Olde Towne since the first installations in 2015. A public art installation project of Main Street Clinton, numerous artistic bicycles are installed throughout Olde Towne and the Clinton Parkway. Some invoke laughter, while others recount the past or give vision for the future. All are delightful and add character to our city.
At its inception in 2008, the Main Street Clinton program adopted a logo featuring a yellow cruiser bike – a nod to a relaxed lifestyle and to reintroduce downtown as a destination. Since that time, a concerted effort has been made to incorporate bikes as a design element in the community’s landscape.
In the spring of 2015, Phase I of the project saw the first nine bikes installed, and, later, seven bikes were added in Phase II, with several others following in a third Phase. Main Street Clinton Design Committee co-chairs George Ewing and Fran Nixon are pleased to announce Phase VI of the ongoing project.
“Fran and I are excited to be a part of this great project that brings so much joy to visitors and residents alike,” said George. “The bike art has added so much personality to our community, and we hope to continue to bring more great pieces to the town.”
Interested artists should complete an application that requires a sketch of the proposed design accompanied by descriptive details. The selection of designs to be implemented is by committee review. Those awarded a bike project will supply materials and manpower to carry out their design, while the bike to be refurbished is provided.
Applications and guidelines are available at MainStreetClintonMS.com or at the Main Street office inside the Olde Towne Depot at 281 East Leake Street.
The committee is also looking for bike donations. If you have a bike that is gathering dust in storage, please consider donating it to Main Street Clinton for use in this and other public art projects. For additional information, call the Main Street office at 601-924-5472.
