The City of Winston-Salem announced on April 9 the launch of City of Arts in Bloom, a citywide initiative celebrating its commitment to the arts and the upcoming public art sculpture, Invasive Hope, also known as the Dandelion Public Art Project.
The program aims to bring together residents through arts-focused events and workshops inspired by the dandelion, a symbol chosen for its representation of renewal and persistence. Erica Palmiter, the City’s Public Art Project Planner, said, “The life of a dandelion, from the golden flower to the white puff, illustrates renewal and persistence, making it a fitting symbol for Winston-Salem. In honor of the dandelion, arts organizations from around the city are creating community-first programming inspired by this great flower.”
City of Arts in Bloom features hands-on programs developed with local partners such as MIXXER Community Makerspace; Kaleideum Children’s Museum; Village Fabric Shop; North Carolina Museum of Art, Winston-Salem (NCMAWS); and City Recreation and Parks Department. Details about these events will be shared online at the Public Art Commission’s webpage (cityofws.org/publicart) and through other city communication channels throughout spring.
Programming begins at Piedmont Environmental Alliance’s 21st annual Piedmont Earth Day Fair on April 18 at Winston-Salem Fairgrounds. Staff from both the Public Art Commission and Keep Winston-Salem Beautiful will host collaborative activities focused on environmental stewardship. The event is free for families and offers resources about native plants and pollinator-friendly practices.
The City of Winston-Salem serves as a municipal government overseeing local public services within its boundaries in North Carolina according to its official website. It supports economic development by aiding businesses and minority enterprises while managing infrastructure such as water treatment plants capable of processing up to 91 million gallons daily according to its official website. The city operates under an eight-member council representing wards with a mayor elected citywide as noted on its official website, holding authority over laws, budgets, and taxes as indicated online.
In inviting participation in these events, organizers said: “We invite you to join the artists of this city to create your own symbol of resilience and hope, to remember that together this city can always find a way to flourish.”
