Deadline Extended For Downtown Public Art Project

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ENID, OK - UPDATE: 09/25/2019 - The deadline extension request for "Under Her Wing was the Universe" passed city commission Tuesday night with a vote of 5-1. About 30 people attended the city council meeting in support of the project. The new extension runs through July 1, 2020.
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Artist Romy Owens, an Enid native, conceived the downtown public art project that is located in the green space south of the Stride Bank Center. The site plan was originally submitted to the City of Enid in June 2017. Owens described the project as, "A gathering place that is unique and distinctive that puts Enid on the map."
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This is an artist-led project, which means the artist initiated this idea and must secure the funding through individual donations and grants available to individual artists. Owens begun fundraising for the project and had asked for funding from the City Commission through PACE. The tentative budget for the project was one hundred thousand ($100,000.00) dollars. An additional $200,000 is being raised by in kind donations. She has received private donations from a Go Fund Me account and a five thousand dollar ($5,000.00) grant from the Enid Arts Council.
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The epic public art piece in downtown Enid is titled "Under Her Wing was the Universe." Inside the art piece, visitors will experience a micro-universe of lights. Imagine stepping under the shelter of a bird's wing and seeing the universe. They imagine this becoming the kind of destination where memorable moments could happen: a first kiss, a proposal, teenage daydreaming, or a picnic with friends.
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"Under Her Wing was the Universe" was inspired by Owen's relationship with her mom. Her mom inspired her to dream and imagine unlimited possibilities. Hopefully, everyone has had a person like that in our lives. With this artwork, imagine stepping under the shelter of a bird’s wing and seeing an universe within it. Inside this large sculpture, visitors will find a sanctuary-like setting with a light installation above that presents a artist-interpreted universe of stars overhead.
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Individual residents can help support this project. By giving at any level, you would be contributing to the production of art that will transform our community. This is an architectural-scale work of art. Funds will be used to buy materials, rent equipment, run electricity, and cover travel expenses, signage production, installation insurance, artist fees, and landscaping costs.
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This work of contemporary art would become a significant destination for Enid residents and visitors alike. Learn more and donate at their Go Fund Me account. If you prefer to pay by check and bypass processing fees, you can mail that directly to Owens. Email her at (theromyowens @ gmail . com) for her mailing address. Your check will be logged as an offline donation and still count towards their goal.
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