Somerset County Traffic Box Program Features Local Artists

 

Featured Artist Vivian Bedoya

Sometimes networking can pay dividends to not only the few who employ it into their business practices, but it can extend to benefit many others as well, as in this case. A few years ago Pat McGarry from the Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission and a duCret representative attended a business networking event. They were strangers to one another. At the event participants were encouraged to speak about what they were doing and mention areas where they needed assistance. When Pat mentioned she was seeking graphic design services for her new art project, a jovial voice from the duCret rep erupted from across the room, which ultimately led to a business meet at duCret. The duCret School of Art has long offered a service to local businesses, whereas students looking to develop their portfolios can design brochures and logos for business owners at a reduced rate.

 

In this case, Pat had initiated a very unusual and out-of-the box idea to use the artwork from local artists to cover the unsightly traffic control boxes in various towns. As with any extraordinary idea that is initiated - she met with alot of red tape the first year that she endeavored on the project. Throughout that year however, she consistently met with and worked with Graphic Design Instructor Phil Laskowski and his graphic art students from duCret. What has resulted two years later is not only a first, but a second beautiful brochure featuring 22 of the very first NJ artists chosen to be featured throughout the tri state area. Recently the Courier News ran a cover story on the 'artwork on traffic boxes' and word is out now. Chosen artwork submitted each year by artists from all over the state is reproduced on a special vinyl adhesive film which is then applied to the exterior of the boxes. The artwork produced varies and ranges from photographic images of florals to landscape scenes to whimsical patterns and each box is a vision and enhancement to the areas in which they stand.  The Somerset County Cultural & Heritage Commission encourages to residents to take a drivable tour via its brochure, which can be found posted in many local shops throughout the Somerset County area. In this case, the networking of two multiplied into opportunities for many artists across the state, including many duCret students and no doubt, this project will continue multiplying opportunities for other artists in the many years to come. We'd vote that this intriguing idea of Pat's is definately a home run! We also predict that it's such a great idea that other states will pick up on it in due time! duCret School of Art is located at 1030 Central Avenue, Plainfield NJ 07060. It is a professional artists career school as well as a community art center. Click here for more information on duCret.