Fresh Public Art Adorns 11 Traffic Boxes In Prince George’s County

Vinyl Art Wraps Enliven Cabinets In County T.N.I. Neighborhoods

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                 
Monday, June 12th, 2017
Contact:  Kayleigh Gunnoud, Hyattsville CDC
(301) 683-8267  kgunnoud@hyattsvillecdc.org

Hyattsville, MD — The Hyattsville Community Development Corporation (CDC) with support from the Prince George’s County Executive’s Community Partnership Grant , Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council, and in collaboration with the Prince George’s Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPWT), are pleased to announce the installation of artists’ designs on eleven county-operated traffic signal cabinets. Traffic signal cabinets, also known as “traffic boxes,” are the grey metal structures located at every signalized intersection that are often vulnerable to graffiti and vandalism.

This project was designed in conjunction with the County to use public art as a way to address blight and enhance the visual landscape in some of the county’s T.N.I communities (Transforming Neighborhoods Initiative). Marking the project’s inaugural debut, 11 cabinets were chosen: 4 in Landover along Sheriff Rd, 3 in Coral Hills/Suitland along Marlboro Pike, 2 in Hillcrest Heights/Marlow Heights along Iverson St, and 2 in Hyattsville along Adelphi Rd. Cabinets were selected for their visibility, the presence of graffiti and vandalism, and the approval of DPW&T.

10 preliminary artists’ designs were selected in March by a jury comprised of local arts and county professionals and final selections were chosen through public voting online. 2,445 local residents, school officials, community group members, and business owners made their favorites known. As a result, 5 designs by 4 Maryland artists were chosen for display: Harper Carter Matsuyama of Hyattsville, Michelle Puhl-Price of Gaithersburg, Erick Satchell of Waldorf, and Joel Traylor of Mount Rainier. The Call-for-Artists was open to artists, graphic designers, illustrators, or photographers who work or live within the County. Over 30 submissions were received and juried for the 11 locations.

“Each traffic box features art that is visually appealing, dynamic and exciting: the art puts the community’s character and identity on display,” says Delegate Alonzo Washington (District 22). This project is the first of its kind for wrapping signal boxes in the State of Maryland: introducing visual art to traffic signal boxes as an innovative tool in the County and State’s toolkits to address blight, encourage economic development, and enliven community space. Adds Stuart Eisenberg, Hyattsville CDC Executive Director: “This type of public art program sets a precedent in Maryland. With a recent statutory revision to the State Highway Administration’s procedures, we look forward to expanding this program with the support of local leaders and officials.” The CDC invites area municipalities, agencies and businesses’ to partner in future iterations of the project throughout the County.

Twenty-two additional locations are identified for the art wrap application within the City of Hyattsville.

This project furthers the CDC’s public art portfolio, where visually unappealing infrastructure is enlivened with eye-catching art: The CDC recently coordinated 2 murals at the West Hyattsville Metro Station with Metro Art in Transit, and in 2012, co-commissioned a vinyl bus-wrap for the County TheBus Route 17 (rebranded as the Route1Ride) with partner Maryland Milestones on behalf of Route 1 Communities. Projects like these, commissioned with the generous support of county, state, municipal, and small business leaders, add to the County’s tapestry of over 200 public artworks.

A map of locations can be found here. To learn more about the Program, visit http://hycdc.org/trafficbox or call the CDC at 301-683-8267 or e-mail kgunnoud@hyattsvillecdc.org.

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