Project Progress

PROJECT PROGRESS: To date, I have collected three gallons of pennies! Will tally them soon. Check here for Project Progress throughout the year.





Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Another Day, Another Thousand Pennies....

March has been a good month for the Penny Project. What with a show for First Friday rolling into a three-day Art Detour weekend, there were plenty of people roaming through the gallery where my art was up. I was heartened to see so many reading the information about this project and adding their pennies (and nickels, dimes, quarters, and dollar bills) to the jar. I also checked the stats for this blog and it's getting good views. People are really responding to the idea of me making art from their pennies and their compliments. And we've received several good comments/suggestions on the Group Discussion pages.

I've given up on the idea of counting the pennies regularly and posting a running tally. Impossible! Maybe I'll have a "Guess How Many" contest when the year is up... "For now, suffice it to say that I estimate I have collected the equivalent of over ten thousand pennies!

One thing that has me really excited about this project is the opportunity to work in new media. I'll be learning so much, no matter what we decide to make from the pennies. I imagine there might be some mosaic involved. Some woodworking. Perhaps some welding too! Lots of opportunitites to get dirty and wield power tools... I can't wait! Several other local Phoenix artists have been kind enough to offer me help and advice. Thank G-d! I have so much to learn and they appear to be willing teachers! I love that this project may bring me (and other interested community members) together with local talented people who are willing to share their expertise.

Next on my list is to talk to people in the know about Public Art and see if there will be a place for this piece in that arena. I'll also be applying for some grants that will hopefully fund the purchase of materials needed for the project. If you have experience with Public Art or Arts Grants, I'd love to hear from you!