Brainard and Seward

Just over two years ago, I wrote some hopped-up bit about Carmel and its corporate built arts district. So obviously this little tid-bit in the news could not have escaped my notice.

Carmel orders 10 more outdoor sculptures Public arts funding to provide nearly $1M for 1 current, 10 new lifelike sculptures

CARMEL, Ind. -- Mayor Jim Brainard has ordered 10 more lifelike sculptures for his outdoor public art display in the Arts & Design District.

He'll use public arts funding to pay for the J. Seward Johnson Jr. pieces, which come with a price tag of about $1 million. That also includes the cost of a statue already in the district.

The Norman Rockwell-style statues depict scenes such as a boy riding on his father's shoulders and a woman walking a dog.

....

Brainard said the statues will attract businesses to the Arts & Design District and enhance the quality of life in Carmel, making it easier to draw corporations to the city.
"It creates economic activity in this area that for many years wasn't doing well," Brainard said.

Some criticize spending taxpayer money on the statues.

"To take away people's tax dollars and spend it on art that usually is funded by private benefactors is just unbelievable," said Mark Rattermann, a city councilman who proposed cutting arts funding from this year's city budget. "The mayor believes that we should spend tax dollars for entertainment and culture. And he calls himself a Republican."

Sue Maki, president of the Hamilton County Tourism Commission, said the statues will be worth the investment because of the tourism they'll bring to Carmel. She said the statues would provide an impetus for people to come to Hamilton County and explore its offerings.

"It just adds to the tourism product we have here," Maki said. "It's a place-making type of action in this city. Ten years from now, we'll be very thankful."

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071214/LOCAL/712140457/1006