Whether you’re looking for a little inspiration or just a place to park your bike, you’ll find both at the intersection of art and utility in the form of a new sculptural bike rack. The new sculpture, known as an ArtRack, is the result of a year-long collaboration between Art Academy of Cincinnati and ArtWorks Queen City Art Racks program.
Art Academy of Cincinnati students, Adam Brock, Tory Kroeger and Brad Davis spent the last year making their vision a reality, developing the concept for and creating the bike rack sculpture. The piece, titled “7 Hills,” was inspired by the students’ desire to create a bike rack with clean, user-friendly design that considered the environment of its permanent location at the corner of 13th and Jackson Street in historic Over-the-Rhine.
“The bike rack fabrication was my favorite part if the process,” said Adam Brock, Art Academy of Cincinnati senior. “I’m a welder by trade and always wanted to have my work out for the public.”
When Brock, Kroeger and Davis were approached with the chance to put their artistic talents to use to create a piece of public art, they jumped at the opportunity. They assembled a team, developed three designs and even reached out to the public for input. They set up a booth at Second Sunday on Main and had the public vote on their favorite design.
“There is no monetary value that could ever trump the value of seeing the public enjoy your work,” Brock said. “It’s the most rewarding thing my artistic career has brought me.”
The “7 Hills” ArtRack is the 17th bike rack created and installed by ArtWorks in the Greater Cincinnati area since the program launched in 2012. The program is part of ArtWorks ongoing effort to transform Cincinnati with inspiring public art and employment opportunities for local working artists.
“7 Hills” was funded by Nellie Leaman Taft Foundation and ArtsWave. The project was also made possible, in part, by MadTree Brewing, The Cincinnati Cycle Club, Mark Grote and various anonymous donors.