New elementary school gets $125,000 for artwork

PALMER — The Valley’s newest school named for a pair of artists is about to become a whole lot more colorful.

Fred and Sara Machetanz Elementary School is soliciting proposals for artwork to adorn its halls as part of its 1% for Art Program.

The program started when a state law was passed requiring 1 percent of the construction cost of any new public building go for permanent art installations.

What this means for Machetanz Elementary is that $125,000 will go to the pieces selected by the school’s Art Selection Committee.

“It’s mainly to bring art and the beauty and creativity that come from art to the students on a daily basis,” said Amanda Weglin, the program coordinator for the Mat-Su School District. “Students can be inspired everyday, students that wouldn’t have access to art on a daily basis.”

The school is looking for pieces to fill the entrance area, multipurpose room and a window above the library door. The piece for the entrance should commemorate the Palmer artists, and the works in the multipurpose room should inspire students. Beyond those simple guidelines, the rest is up to the artist, Weglin said.

“That’s the great thing about the program. It’s completely up to the artist,” she said. “The artists can do whatever they feel like inspiration means to them.”

There will be a tour of the school for interested artists Friday at 2 p.m. Artists are asked to submit a concept proposal, resume, CD with 10 images and an image identification sheet. Submissions should come in no later than Nov. 30 at 4 p.m.

The Art Selection Committee will choose the winners based on the quality, skills and appropriateness of the concepts. The committee is composed of faculty, students and an outside artist not vying for contracts.

For more information, contact Jocelyn Young at (907) 343-6473.

Contact Todd L. Disher at todd.disher@frontiersman.com or 352-2252.