Denison: 'The Billboard Project'

Denison Art Space in Newark holds an opening reception for “The Billboard Project,” featuring artwork by students from McGuffey Elementary and the YES Clubhouse. The exhibit is the culmination of a public-art outreach project led by Sheilah Wilson, assistant professor of studio art. In its second year, “The Billboard Project” was conceived by Wilson as a way to engage the public with contemporary art. Wilson obtained grant funding to install public billboards in Newark. She then worked with Denison students to develop workshops for Newark-area schoolchildren that used the billboard images as a catalyst for conversation and visual response. Students also were given disposable cameras and asked to take photos using the theme: “Who do you love? What do you love?” Their images have been published in a newspaper that will be on display during the opening reception. This project was funded by the Ohio Arts Council, Licking County Foundation and Denison University.