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Proposal for The Welcome Wall Ronald McDonald House Townsville 2005
Justification to Townsville Hospital for the 2005 Public Art Welcome Wall
Many regional families with very sick children come to stay at the newly constructed Ronald McDonald House in Townsville while their little ones receive life-saving treatment. Currently the entrance to the Townsville Hospital grounds, where RMH is located, has no significant signage or feeling of welcome for these families. Ronald McDonald House and James Cook University's Faculty of Arts Education and Social Sciences are pleased to advise that a colourful and welcoming art work is to be erected in front of our Townsville House over the next few months. The design and construction of a 5m x 2.5m illuminated free-standing stained-glass wall will identify the House and provide a colourful entry point at all times of the day and night. Dr. Linda Ashton from James Cook University will oversee the project with twenty enthusiastic School of Education students, who will contribute their time and artistic skills. Business and corporate groups will be approached to provide assistance, and where appropriate, discount or donations in kind, toward the creation of the RMH welcoming wall. Contributors who provide substantial assistance will be formally recognized on clay acknowledgement plaques to be positioned on the columns bordering the wall. Sponsors will also be invited to attend the official unveiling and illumination ceremony. The site for the glass wall with mosaic design is on the grassed area in front of Ronald McDonald House, Townsville. The project will provide a unique and colourful welcome for children and their carers while staying at RMH, and a wonderful learning opportunity for JCU pre-service teachers.
JCU's School of Education, has previously collaborated with MacDonald's owner (and philanthropist extraordinaire) George Colbran, with students successfully completing a large ceramic mural of the Great Barrier Reef, for the North Ward restaurant. Quite a number of the participating students (now qualified teachers) have subsequently undertaken collaborative projects successfully with their own pupils in schools. It is an invaluable and very different experience for them to see what can be achieved through public art projects which benefit community, rather than the usual practice of making artworks for self expression or personal gain.
The Welcome Wall is inspired by a number of circumstances:
1. James Cook University's Mission statement and guiding principles encourage strong collaborative linkages through industry partnerships and recognition of the benefits to the regional community, of scholarship in the humanities, creative arts and social sciences. One area of the university's research focus and strength is known as People, Identity and Place. This area promotes the role of literary and artistic work in cultural dynamics and highlights the interconnectedness between People, Identity and Place. It is this mission which has influenced Dr. Ashton's postdoctoral research and teaching in the area of public and community art.
2. Dr. Ashton's research~teaching has involved collecting an extensive bank of digital imagery of public art projects, locally and Australia-wide, tangible expressions of People, Identity and Place. One work which provides direct inspiration for the Ronald McDonald House project was installed by the City of Marion, Adelaide, in 1994. The work has not shown any signs of deterioration in 11 years, nor has it been targeted by vandals. The glass block medium is strong, durable, safe, weather-resistant and very attractive in both daylight and when illuminated from behind at night. It would appear that installation of good lighting has contributed greatly to security of this impressive work which was designed by S.A. artist Terry Beaston. Examples of the free-standing glass brick wall with coloured glass mosaic, are included in appendix form and the accompanying CD-rom. The wall looks very different at different times of the day as light disperses through the glass bricks onto transparent stained-glass surface. Terry Beaston has kindly agreed to provide technical advice free of charge to Dr. Ashton who will take on project management of the RMH feature wall.
3. Education students have participated in various public art projects since 1999, with mosaicing proving the most versatile, durable and safe medium for the construction of outdoor works. The Queensland Studies Authority Arts Syllabus for Years 1-10 (2001) welcomes student engagement with community and public art genres and a legitimate curriculum emphasis for pre-service teachers. As well as learning practical art techniques, students view and discuss a wide range of form, styles, protocols and curriculum links concerning public art, becoming aware of issues including:
* Legislative moves by Federal & state governments
* local council public art policy & guidelines
* Budgeting Funding Sources, the tendering and proposal writing, sponsorship
* Design ownership & intellectual property media release forms
* Security (vandalism/theft) Public liability
* Suitability of Form for Place Space (Purpose/Theme/Place/Audiences/Censorship/Diversity) * Quality Durability Completion Schedule and subcontracting Š Lifespan of work
* Best Media & Techniques/ workplace health and safe practices by artists
* Signage, Insurance and a maintenance plan.
Practical work for the RMH welcoming wall will entail creating an original design to be mosaiced with a mix of commercial coloured glass, glass beads and recycled glass. Some areas of the 288 clear glass blocks will remain visible with the final work measuring approx 5m x 2.5m and mounted on a 30cm thick curved concrete slab. Two additional support columns (each 2.4m) of stacked, cylindrical concrete blocks 250mm diam x 190mm height will be concreted into the slab. These will be reinforced with steel rods, filled with concrete and positioned adjacent to the kit frame uprights.
The wall will be built to Australian Standards with WV60 rating for cyclone conditions. The base will sit in a rolled steel RHS steel support 100mmx100mm top and bottom. Plans for construction will be drawn up by Matthew Mancuso and certified by LCJ Engineering. The structure will not infringe upon the Townsville Hospital's nearby helipad nor will it obstruct existing footpath access. The proposed illumination will enhance existing lighting adding both security and aesthetic appeal. A maintenance information sheet will be assembled for RMH in the event of incidental damage or vandalism. RMH will be responsible for insuring the finished artwork which will have a full commercial replacement value of $30000.
RMH staff and guests will have an open invitation to the university along with RMH parents and children who might like to see the work in progress with opportunities to work with School of Education students. The RMH Board will organise an official unveiling and illumination ceremony with light refreshments provided, inviting the artists, university representatives, RMH personnel, business representatives/sponsors, media and community members.
On behalf of Ronald McDonald House's Board, Chairman George Colbran and we commend this worthwhile and unique venture and thank you for your interest.
Helen Tartellin and Dr. Linda Ashton
Ronald McDonald House and James Cook University Townsville
ronaldmcdonald-iqconnect.net.au [email protected]
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