It's time once again to join Sami at Sami's Colourful World and her Monday Murals. Even though it's still Sunday in my world, please be aware that Sami's mural link goes live at 11:01 a.m. my time today.
We are back at the Pop-up Park. This is a sad tale of a once lovely and vital area in downtown Wichita, Kansas (USA). According to KMUW:
For years a large hole sat behind a fence on the south side of Douglas Avenue between Market and Main.
The result of a redevelopment plan that fell through in 2007, “the hole,” as it was known, was a fixture in downtown Wichita for almost a decade before developers filled it, converting it into the ICT Pop-Up Park.
Tables, chairs, umbrellas and even a ping pong table adorned the graveled ground. Less than a city block in size and in between two buildings, the space didn’t feel a whole lot different from the park just a block east. But a pass for food trucks to park there throughout the day started giving the park its personality.
In the five years it was open, the park became a destination for artists and downtown workers. Then in September. 2020, it closed forever. Again, according to a 2020 article by KMUW:
After five years, the pop-up park in downtown Wichita has closed for good.
The park near Douglas and Market, funded in part by a Knight Foundation grant, was always meant to be temporary.
Developers haven’t decided yet what will replace the Pop-Up Park. Downtown Wichita says the same partners that originally built the park "will work with the community to reimagine the space, with the primary goal of challenging ways to think about and use public space."
A chain link fence at the spot now serves two purposes: blocking off the former park and showcasing the work of local artists. Kristen Beal is the founder of Harvester Arts, which is working with Bokeh Development and the Wichita Community Foundation to show artists’ work at the former park.
“The ChainLinkGallery is an effort to just continue to activate the site, but in a new way to keep people looking at it ... and let the public know that something is going to happen here,” Beal said. “So that they'll be watching for what's next.”
24 thoughtful remarks:
I hope that whatever replaces the PopUp Park is good.
And agree with you. I quite like that painting, but am very surprised to see it in a 'family friendly' zone.
I hope that something good will be built to replace the park. Have a great day, hugs, Valerie
Quite a project and wow on that mural.
I would not call myself prude, either, but ads for sex-toys before 6pm on TV always have me wonder...
I'm with you o the second piece. It is really well done, but maybe a little too much for a public place. I wonder what statement the first one is trying to make. Perhaps the chain link fence. I am still amazed how many murals you have in Wichita. Here we hardly have any, or maybe I just am not good at seeing them. Happy Sunday! hugs-Erika
The sad thing about the risqué painting is that it's also not a very good art work. So much of the public art that I've found is remarkable in quality and imagination. It will be interesting to see what is there the next time you visit.
best... mae at maefood.blogspot.com
The idea is brilliant and I love seeing street art or murals. As for the risque, I am not opposed to it but if this is a family area the choice to put this up in the area is wrong thinking.
I hope the space can be redeveloped and put to good use. A community garden, perhaps?
I love pop ups!
...some public art can be a bit too public!
I enjoy going around with you. This was fun
I wouldn't want her on a family friendly park space either. Goodness!
Interesting to learn about the park, though. :)
Amazing story concerning this park and this famous hole.
Amazing story concerning this park and this famous hole.
What a great story!
I do hope the space can be redeveloped and put to good use.
All the best Jan
That painting is a bit over the top, or more accurately, under the bottom!
Reminds me of Amadeo Modigliani
Hope the park is redeveloped into something that is useful and family friendly. That second mural is really out of place there.
Thanks for participating in Monday Murals Elizabeth.
I must say that those murals are really great. Pity from the pop up park. Hope something with the same intention will coming up.
Downtowns are becoming prime spaces, and what to do with them can take time to work out. I trust your city will end up with something great (even if it always takes too long to see projects through).
They are beautiful paintings but, odd place for one of them
So many things happen in cities... but I'm glad these murals are there in yours.
A shame for something so clearly needed in the community! Some must surely have paid a lot of money to put that risque image there! As you can see I'm trying to catch up again! Hugs, Chrisx
Interesting mural
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