Roswell Arts Fund Hosts Artists Around The Table Workshop

ROSWELL, GA — The Roswell Arts Fund recently organized and hosted its inaugural Artists Around the Table work session to spark city leaders' public art imagination and deepen the community commitment to integrating art into the very fabric of what defines Roswell.

The Artists Around the Table meeting is a first of its kind in our region. Five accomplished public artists — Michael Dillon, Lauren Dilllon, Gregory Johnson, Megan McKeithan, Marcus Mello —were invited to a half day work session with four city of Roswell representatives.

Each city department was given 30 minutes to present up to three of their current or future projects, followed by 30 minutes of engaging dialogue with the artists to explore potential integration of public art, either functionally or standalone. The presentations were sequential, and the discussion dynamic, Roswell Arts Fund said.

Roswell Traffic Engineer Scott Brunner said the city has "tremendous" natural, cultural and historic resources that can attract more visitors as well as citizens who may be unaware that these points of interest exist.

"I would think that showcasing those elements through public art in capital projects would likely pay for itself economically," he added.

Artists will submit their recommendations for integrating public art, and these recommendations will be reviewed with and prioritized by the departments. Participating artists could be invited to continue to serve as an advisor, have a seat at the table as an artist in residence, and/or be commissioned for specific public art work.

McKeithan said she was "impressed" with the presentations and the interest in public art by the city departments.

"Impressed with the caliber of the artists and architect who brought creative thinking to the table, and who will be submitting further ideas to the city shortly, and impressed with the tireless efforts of Roswell Arts Fund to ignite the public art conversation within the city of Roswell," she added.

The organization plans to host two Artists Around the Table meetings each year in an effort to showcase the importance of public art as a valuable project for the city to pursue.

Roswell Arts Fund is an independent, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and the designated
arts agency for the city. It was created as a direct outcome of the Imagine Roswell Arts and Culture 2030 Study. For more information, visit the Roswell Arts Fund website.

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