KSU, City Of Kennesaw Partner For Public Art Project

KENNESAW, GA — The City of Kennesaw held a ribbon cutting ceremony on May 3 to unveil a sign, shade structure and sundial designed and crafted by students of the Kennesaw State University (KSU) Master Craftsman Program. The sign, shade structure and sundial are located at the City’s Gateway Park, a pocket park located at the corner of Sardis St. and S Main St.

Master Craftsman Program Coordinator Page Burch said, “we are very excited to have been given the opportunity by the city to completely outfit Gateway Park. It allowed us to work on our largest scale to date with these three pieces. The design of the pieces complement each other nicely, and presents a uniform aesthetic to the park. I believe that this park is a project that both KSU and the City of Kennesaw can be very proud of.”

The shade structure was built by KSU Master Craftsman students Carrie McDaniel, Randy Kooistra, Manuel Simonet, Ellen Foose-kutty, Tess Foose-kutty, Alyssa Smith, Brooke Barrett, Hannah Bumgarner, and Daniel Barnard and designed by Jonathan Copeland. The sun dial and Gateway Park sign were designed and fabricated by KSU Master Craftsman Program Coordinator Page Burch.

Kennesaw Mayor Derek Easterling said, “what an opportunity for the Master Craftsman Program students at Kennesaw State University to be recognized for their creativity and talent. In addition, the experience gained through their collaborative efforts with the City has encouraged other businesses and students to join forces in showcasing art and building relationships throughout the community. Personally, I am looking forward to what’s next! ‘Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.’ – Edgar Degas”

The sign, shade structure and sundial are the third phase of the partnership between the City of Kennesaw and the Kennesaw State University Master Craftsman Program. The City unveiled student-designed and fabricated benches at the Southern Museum and City Hall in November 2017 and eight decorative manhole covers at the City Hall Plaza in March. This opportunity gives students the real-world experience of going through the public art commission process, including selection, fabrication and installation.

Additional art pieces will be installed late Summer 2019, which will include additional decorative manhole covers and benches.