ArtScape Jamestown is inviting local artists to submit their work for the 2024 ArtScape public art program. The Jamestown Renaissance Corp. is again partnering with Chautauqua Art Gallery and the city to create an outdoor public art gallery. Submitted photo

ArtScape Jamestown is inviting local artists to submit their work for the 2024 ArtScape public art program through Feb. 24, 2024.

The Jamestown Renaissance Corp. is again partnering with Chautauqua Art Gallery and the city Parks Department to create an outdoor public art gallery downtown. Artists of all ages who live in Chautauqua County or within 35 miles of Jamestown are invited to participate in the art competition.

Selected works are reproduced on banners that hang on light posts throughout the downtown area. Chautauqua Art Gallery, on Main Street in downtown Jamestown, supports the program as the host sponsor, displaying the original works of art and coordinating artists and banner production.

ArtScape aims to create an outdoor gallery experience in the heart of the community. The colorful banners add interest and intrigue to the downtown streetscape, encouraging pedestrians and vehicle traffic to slow down and enjoy the display. Each banner showcases local artists, highlighting the creativity and talent of artists who live and work in the region.

Interested artists may submit up to three works for consideration to the Jamestown Renaissance Corp. A jury comprised of arts professionals will select 50 pieces to be included in the 2024 program. The chosen works are professionally photographed for display on the banners. Local businesses can sponsor a banner, and the names of the artists and the sponsors are featured on the banners.

At the end of the outdoor display, the banners are removed and given to the sponsor, or the sponsor may choose to donate the banner to the artist. The sponsor does not receive reproduction rights to the work. However, they are encouraged to display the banner in their place of business, highlighting their support for enriching the community through public art programs.

Banners will be hung in June 2024, and a brochure with a walking tour of the banners will be distributed.

New this year is a partnership with The Resource Center, which will sponsor several banners to display works by artists participating in Resource Center programs.

“I am thrilled to see the ArtScape program continue to develop in its second year,” said Leslie Calimeri, owner of Chautauqua Art Gallery on Main Street in Jamestown. “We had 248 beautiful and diverse works of art submitted in our first year, and I’m looking forward to coordinating the submissions in the second year.”

“This unique program has increased the walkability of downtown while engaging the arts and business communities. We are excited to continue working with Chautauqua Art Gallery and the Jamestown Parks Department to develop this program in downtown Jamestown,” said Frank Besse, executive director of the Jamestown Renaissance Corp.

Interested artists and those interested in sponsoring a banner can find information and an application at jamestownrenaissance.org/artscape/ The deadline for both artists and sponsorship is Feb. 24, 2024.