Jessi Marlatt
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Poetry is not only for the ear or the page in Ridgway. It is now the newest type of sculpture, lingering in the alleys.
According to Michael McCullough, of Firehouse Sculpture Studio, by placing poetry in the alleys it forces the viewer to be within 16 feet of the artwork and to be present with as well as held captive by the poem. The alleys of Ridgway are extremely pedestrian, and the new additions will enhance the journeys from point A to point B.
The poems are painted on scrap wood and displayed on fences and the sides of buildings. “You can’t see the poems if you just look down the alley, but when you enter the alleys the poems are there,” said McCullough.
Currently, five poems are on display; McCullough hopes that number will grow to 50 by the summer. He explained that the poems will go up as fast as he can paint them. McCullough plans to move the poems every few weeks so... they are ever changing and always new.
McCullough’s partner, Lucy Boody, stated that by summer the Alley Poetry may evolve into a town-wide scavenger hunt. “There might be clues in each of the poems with directions to the next one; we really want to have fun with this,” she said.
“Lucy and I try to be innovators in the art community, and this struck a wonderful tone with the poets and with the community,” said McCullough. “The poems create a community dialogue in the arts, and that is my purpose.”
The possible designation of central Ridgway as a Creative District motivated McCullough to begin Alley Poems. Grand Junction places printed poetry on sculptures throughout the downtown area. “I saw the Grand Junction poetry initiative and came home and customized one for my neighborhood,” said McCullough.
Poets can submit three of their favorite poems to the Firehouse Sculpture Studio on North Lena for possible exhibition.
McCullough and Boody believe the project will evolve and eventually fly. They are open to suggestions or for someone to take over Alley Poems in the future.
Take a walk with eyes peeled and minds open to the newest art in town.