Rochester, N.Y. – Construction on the second phase of Rochester’s Art Walk is in full swing.
The grounds of the Memorial Art Gallery are all torn up. The museum, with help from the city, is building an outdoor plaza called Centennial Sculpture Park. It will have several large art installations by artists including Albert Paley, Tom Otterness and Wendell Castle. The plaza will be finished in October 2013. The gallery wants the public to know it is open and accessible through the rear entrances.
“We want people to have the experience of being able to come on our grounds and experience the quality of art they can also experience inside,” said Majorie Searle, the museum’s curator.
The gallery worked with the city to incorporate the plaza into Art Walk. The second phase extends the trail from Goodman St. to Union St. along University Ave. It also includes Goodman St. from The Rochester Museum and Science Center to Village Gate. As in the first phase, there will be artistic benches and sculptures.
The city is also rebuilding University Ave. Construction will be finished in August. The city is spending $6 million on the project.
“This will just be a showcase for the city of Rochester, for the neighborhood, for the Memorial Art Gallery, and the whole region,” said Paul Way, who is directing the project for the city.
