The Public Arts Network of Northern Kentucky’s new community initiative, the Northern Kentucky Picnic Table Project, got a big boost from four local organizations this week.
The Picnic Table Project aims to bring Northern Kentucky communities together through art and food.
ArtsWave, the Greater Cincinnati region’s local arts agency, announced a $10,000 Catalyzing Impact grant to support the Picnic Table Project. ArtsWave grants encourage arts and cultural heritage projects that engage and connect communities throughout the tri-state region.
Also this week, the Anna B. Milburn Charitable Trust agreed to be the Presenting Sponsor for the Picnic Table Project.
The trust focuses on projects that impact children and Northern Kentucky communities.
The menu for the picnic also just got more delicious. Glier’s Meats has generously agreed to donate brats, metts and goetta sliders for the picnic. In addition, an anonymous donor is contributing $500, which will be used to provide free beer to the attendees. Hot dogs, side dishes, soda and water will also be on the menu.
The Picnic Table Project has three steps: Any group — such as a business, school, church, neighborhood, city, family, or club — can purchase a custom-built picnic table for $500. The deadline for ordering a table is March 15.
The second step is decorating the tables. Over two weekends in April, the individuals or groups that purchased the tables will come together to decorate their tables any way they want. These Painting Parties will have refreshments, paint, and other art supplies for everyone to use.
The culminating event will be a huge picnic on June 16, with all the tables lined up on the Purple People Bridge. After the picnic, the tables will be transported to their final homes throughout the Northern Kentucky region, where they will provide unique art and new opportunities for community picnics throughout the year.
“We so excited to be involved with this great community-building project,” said Jill Morenz, director of Community Initiatives and Communications for The Catalytic Fund. “We can’t wait to see all the beautiful tables set up on the bridge and share a meal with everyone who participated.”
To get involved you can simply sign up to buy a table. The event has additional sponsorship opportunities, including being the Food Sponsor (for the picnic side dishes and refreshments at the Painting Parties) or a Featured Sponsor.
One component of the ArtsWave grant is a subsidy for 10 tables that will be given to deserving organizations who would like to be involved, but are unable to because of the cost. More information is available at www.NKYpicnic.org/buy-a-table.
The Public Arts Network of Northern Kentucky is a group of community leaders who believe that the arts are an essential component of a vibrant and thriving community. As the convening member, The Catalytic Fund is directing this initiative.
The Public Arts Network promotes the arts in Northern Kentucky, tells the stories of the region through public art, and creates region-wide “low cost/high impact” public arts projects, such as The Picnic Table Project. The organization also plans to create and help execute a regional public-art plan by engaging with Northern Kentucky’s diverse communities.
For more information about The Picnic Table Project, click here.
To learn more about the Public Arts Network of Northern Kentucky, click here.
