Archived News Release: August 12, 2024 - The City of Ann Arbor Bicentennial Murals Committee is announcing a winning design for the Ann Arbor Bicentennial basketball court murals. After a month-long voting period and over 2,100 votes from community members, the design submitted by artists Amanda Humphrey and Joe Trumpey has been selected to appear on basketball courts at two city parks to commemorate the city's 200th anniversary.
Humphrey and Trumpey describe the mural as “depict[ing] 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." The winning design concept can be seen, for now, on the project webpage.
Community members were invited to submit proposals for mural designs that recognize the past, present and future of the community and celebrate 200 years of Ann Arbor. The Ann Arbor Bicentennial Murals Committee narrowed down the submissions to three finalists, which were then included in a public vote. The two runners-up from the competition were designs submitted by David MacLaren and Mathew Sharum. The city is thanking all who participated for their creative submissions.
Humphrey and Trumpey's winning design will be installed by the artists on the basketball courts in Bicentennial Park (formerly Southeast Area Park) and Leslie Park. The artists will begin work on both murals this month, and information about community paint events will be coming soon to the project page to help with the mural at Bicentennial Park.
The city asks community members to please be patient once the installation process is underway in late August and to refrain from using these basketball courts until they reopen, once the paint has fully dried and cured.
To learn more about Ann Arbor Bicentennial celebrations, visit https://a2bicentennial.org/.
Park millage renewal on Nov. 5 General Election ballot
The 2025–2044 Park Maintenance and Capital Improvements Millage renewal proposal is set to appear on the Nov. 5 General Election ballot, asking Ann Arbor voters to decide whether to continue supporting the Ann Arbor park system. If passed, the renewed millage would continue funding park system enhancements, repairs and restoration for the next 20 years. The millage renewal proposal remains for 1.10 mills and does not pose an increase; the rate would remain the same as the millage that is expiring this year. Visit parks online for answers to frequently asked questions, to learn about projects and activities funded through the current and past millages and much more. Additional questions — or interest in scheduling a parks and recreation informational presentation for your neighborhood or community organization this summer or fall — can be directed to [email protected].
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