Based on the model of Art in Odd Places in New York City, CEC ArtsLink’s Art Prospect was the first large-scale festival of public art in St. Petersburg. Seventeen American and Russian artists and art collectives, who shared a mutual commitment to bring art into unconventional spaces and to broad audiences, created site-specific work in courtyards, shop windows and public parks along a bustling stretch of Liteiny Prospect in the city center. Co-curated by Ed Woodham the festival’s theme of MODEL included lectures and workshops by the participating artists.

Bringing art out of galleries and onto the street, asking the public to interact with the projects, and changing the visual and architectural elements of their familiar surroundings, Art Prospect altered and challenged residents’ perceptions of the urban environment.

Art Prospect was produced by CECArtsLink in Saint Petersburg with support from the US Embassy in Moscow, the Trust for Mutual Understanding, the St. Petersburg branch of the National Center for Contemporary Art, and “Anna Nova” Gallery in St. Petersburg.

People:

Susan Katz, program director, curator

Ed Woodham, curator

Anastasia Tolstaya, program manager

Kendal Henry, consultant for public art projects