ArtFul Visual Arts Initiative Presents KICKS Public Art Event: Arrival of Shoe Sculptures Brought to you by Ridgefield Running Company
Ridgefield residents caught a glimpse of a rare sight on Wednesday; a large flatbed carrying fiberglass shoes up to 6 feet tall coming down Main Street in Ridgefield. The truck pulled into the parking lot by Millilo Farms and RPAC Art Center to unload all the fiberglass shoes that will be painted as part of the KICKS Public Art Event. The shipment was greeted by artists, sponsors and community partners that were able to attend including Fairfield County Bank and Title Sponsor Megan Searfoss of Ridgefield Running Company. The shoe sculptures will be distributed to the artists, and many of them have been transported up to the RPAC Art Center.
“This is the important first step we’ve been waiting for,” said ArtFul Visual Arts Board Member Melissa Kraus. “We’ve got our artists picked and paired with our community partners, and we’re so excited to see what the artists do with these sculptures and what they will look like when they are installed in the community this summer.”
ABOUT KICKS PUBLIC ART EVENT
Ridgefield residents will remember the BowWOW Art Dog project in 2021, where full size fiberglass painted dogs could be found in over 20 places throughout Ridgefield’s Cultural District and beyond. ArtFul Visual Arts Initiative is proud to announce that the project is returning, except instead of dogs they will be large fiberglass shoes that will be painted by local artists and installed throughout town.
“The BowWOW Art Dog project was so successful, and we were able to auction off every dog and raise money to award grants to dozens of local artists due to that success,” said Melissa Kraus, Board Member of ArtFul Visual Arts Initiative. “We are so excited to bring this next project to life and see those reactions from local families as they start noticing the large sculptures popping up around town again.”
Starting May 8th, 2024 and lasting until mid-September, sponsors and artists will be able to display their decorated KICKS Sneaker Sculptures around town.
A weekend of September, a “parade” will be held sponsored by ArtFul Visual Arts Initiative. Maps designating the locations of all completed sculptures will be provided and all businesses will join the cause by providing discounts and other special events.
Plus a the “Run Around Town Scavenger Hunt” will be arranged for the kids.
One Night in September from 5-9 pm, an auction will be held at The Benjamin wherein all net
proceeds will be to KICKS for Kids and ArtFul Visual Arts Initiative. The “Just For KICKS Auction”a silent auction for the KICKS Sneaker Sculptures along with other auction items.
ArtFul is a non-profit, community-based initiative, that supports opportunities for working and aspiring artists. ArtFul is committed to providing subsidies for enriching art education to our community and supporting local as well as national organizations that align with our main principles.