Newton Main Street in search of art

Calling all artists — Newton Main Street is looking for you. The organization is looking for 10 to 11 pieces of art to compliment a new alleyway project located behind Konek PC and Caldwell Law offices to South Second Avenue.

“We are hoping to have an area for benches, plants and possibly tables for people to sit and eat,” Newton Main Street Executive Director Graham Sullivan said. “The art will cover the old window wells, now bricked up, on the building that sits to the east of the alleyway.”

The building the art will be hung on is currently owned by Jasper County and was once the city’s fire station. It will be up year round and maintained by Newton Main Street.

The requirements for the artwork include using thick, bold lines that read well from a distance, utilize a color scheme popular in the mid-20th century by using three or more of the colors orange, yellow, avocado green, gold, turquoise or brown and picture an aspect of Newton or Jasper County that is enjoyable. The art should measures 23.5 by 12 inches or 19 by 12 inches.

“Newton’s downtown Main Street historic district is considered a mid-Century modern aesthetic — the first such designation in Iowa for a district made up predominantly of this type of architecture,” Sullivan said. “Newton, always progressive, embraced the new style of architecture that made its way across the Atlantic from Europe a few years before World War II.”

The Mid-Century Modern architectural “style” featured simplified lines with little ornamentation as well as flat planes, large windows and often a use of modern materials, such as the beige tile on P.J.’s Deli or technologies, such as the cantilevered roof of the Maytag Headquarters entrance that was shortened due to structural challenges. It is less a uniform style Sullivan said and more a guiding spirit to enhance the lives of people living within the walls of the Mid-Century Modern buildings by making their lives more convenient, comfortable and open to allow viewing of the natural surroundings outside their walls.

Since it will be displayed year round, it will be digitally enlarged and mounted onto a weather proof, durable surface that can better withstand the elements.

Judging will be by a panel of community members and artists. Those selected will receive a $50 prize for the use of their original image. All Jasper County residents, past or present, are eligible to submit works for consideration.

Submitted artwork is due by 4 p.m. April 14 to the Newton Main Street Office, 113 First Ave. W. The art is to be unsigned with identification to be added once it is hung in place.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com