Ann Arbor is celebrating its bicentennial in 2024, and in many creative, inclusive and unique ways. The Ann Arbor Bicentennial Murals project will incorporate abstract art on basketball courts at two Ann Arbor parks -
Bicentennial Park (formerly Southeast Area Park) and
Leslie Park.
Voting is Open Until June 28, 2024!
The Bicentennial Murals Committee has selected the top three artist-submitted designs and now invites residents to decide on the final design. The mural design receiving the most votes will be painted on the basketball courts at Leslie Park and Southeast Area Park, which will be renamed Bicentennial Park this year. Please vote on your favorite design by June 28, 2024. Here are the three finalist designs and artist descriptions. You can cast your vote for your favorite at
this link.
David MacLaren Design
Ann Arbor’s vibrancy weaves together a beautiful mix of city life, diversity, and the natural environment with which it is embedded. The University is at the heart of the city, and nested within is a countless number of parks, nature preserves, and wildlife. The color scheme and rigidity of the dots hint at these two sides: nature and city. The upper dots mimic a city skyline and bright lights and the lower dots are blue and fluid like the Huron River.
Mathew Sharum Design
In the past, Ann Arbor really blossomed as an Agricultural Trading Centre with the arrival of the Michigan Central Railroad in 1839 and the falling leaves represent the ever present and enduring trees of Treetown. In the “Present” section are the dual skylines: the city is lively both night and day. The “Future” section illustrates the amazing work Mott Children’s Hospital does by using the chemical structures of chemotherapy drugs used in the treatment of Childhood Leukemia. The future of education is shown with the transition from book learning to a more digital presence of knowledge.
Amanda Humphrey and Joe Trumpey Design
The design depicts the Huron river and burr oaks in the foreground, echoing features of the bicentennial logo. The background depicts a stylized skyline featuring centers of art, culture, education, and residential life in Ann Arbor. The abstract river represents how our city has changed through time, and its colorful facets as we move into the future.
Timeline
Celebrate A200
Learn more about all celebrations and initiatives planned on the official
Ann Arbor Bicentennial site.
