Manassas expanding banner art program; Now accepting applications

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Over the last year, art has truly blossomed in historic downtown Manassas. Sculptures, painted benches, artful fire hydrants, bricks and more have added color to the downtown district. One of the largest art projects is back for a third year – the banner art contest.

With the 2016 banners coming down for the holidays, the 2017 application has been released by Historic Manassas, Inc. Artists are encouraged to submit up to three pieces of original artwork to be juried for a space on one of 60+ banners. Last year, the selection committee had to jury over 130 original pieces, each one unique.

“Each year we get more and more entries and it’s becoming difficult to only select 60. We hope to expand our footprint for the 2017 season to extend down Center Street towards the Sports Pub,” said HMI Executive Director, Debbie Haight.

The banners have brought a large art interest to downtown Manassas. For the 2016 contest, banners were extended to cross over Grant Avenue on Center Street as well as along the underpass on Grant Avenue. This past year was also a first year for sculptures in the City. Teaming up with Northern Virginia Community College at Woodbridge, a sculpture class designed 10 original pieces to be placed on display downtown. In 2017, a new class of students will replace the current sculptures with new sculptures.

Each year the Banner Art Contest awards the number one winning banner a cash prize of $1,000. This year, that winner was Jill Brabant for her piece Town Hall Impression which hung on the corner of West and Center Street. A People’s Choice winner is also selected each year in November at the Fall Gallery Walk with a cash prize of $500. Last week, Janet M. Hansen Martinet received the People’s Choice for her piece Dogwood Spirit Mist which was displayed on Center Street.

Applications and additional information for the 2017 Banner Art Contest can be found on HMI’s website at www.visitmanassas.org/banner-art-project. Applications and artwork are due no later than January 20, 2017. The 2017 banners will go up in early April leading up to the City of Manassas’ first three-day art show in May.