Local artist Matt Miller has a passion for creating and facilitating public art projects in Fayetteville. As the painter and mixed-media artist has recently discovered, he’s not the only one who feels that way.
Miller and several local businesses have partnered to create Refresh Fayetteville, a project intended to raise money for mural and sculpture projects around town. Their goal is to differentiate Fayetteville from other area cities as a destination for public art.
Miller, who painted and installed a series of murals at the Town Center Plaza in 2011, said he hopes Refresh Fayetteville will help build a fund to pay artists to produce more public art projects around town.
“What we really want to do is help more artists realize their vision in Fayetteville,” Miller said.
The group has two specific areas in mind to get the project off the ground.
The first is a mural on the cinder block building next to Greenhouse Grille, a project that Miller has committed to complete himself.
The second is a sculpture – or series of sculptures – across from the Hoover Monument on Frisco Trail. The work will be designed by architect David McKee, and placed on his private property along the trail.
One of Miller’s biggest goals is to get his hands on the building at the corner of College Avenue and Center Street, once home to the Mountain Inn.
Refresh Fayetteville fundraiser
Date: Sunday, Nov. 3
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Greenhouse Grille, 481 S School Ave, Fayetteville
Admission: $10 suggested donation
“I’d love to do something with that hideous thing,” he said. “I’ve spoken with the Bank of Fayetteville, who owns that property, and they’re open to the idea.”
To kick off Refresh Fayetteville, Miller and his partners, which include Greenhouse Grille, Modus Studio, Jacobs + Newell Company, and others, will host a fundraiser at 5 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 3 at Greenhouse Grille. The event will feature live music by Fork and Knife, Cutty Rye, and Candy Lee and the Block Street Hot Club. A silent auction is also planned and will feature custom spray paint can sculptures to be painted by 25 local artists.
Admission to the fundraiser is a $10 suggested donation. All proceeds will support Refresh Fayetteville.
