Sculpture Walk Springfield introducing video art series downtown

A new video art series is soon debuting downtown by way of Sculpture Walk Springfield.

The nonprofit is partnering with the Hatch Foundation, Pitt Technology Group and Hotel Vandivort on the arts venture called Alleyscapes, according to a news release.

Each month from Oct. 1 through September 2024, a new video art piece will be projected from sunset to midnight in the alley behind Hotel Vandivort and the Landers Theatre.

First up is work by artist, cinematographer and researcher Adam Hogan, whose pieces utilize moving images and sound, according to the release. His work has been featured at the Smithsonian Institution, Metropolitan Museum and Athens Digital Arts Festival, among others.

Sculpture Walk Springfield Executive Director Bridget Bechtel said the Hatch Foundation last year donated $15,000 to the organization "with the intention of beautifying and making our alleys safer for the community."

"We look forward to continuing this mission alongside them," Bechtel said via email.

Pitt Technology Group is assisting Sculpture Walk Springfield with the technology equipment needed for the display. Hotel Vandivort's John and Karen McQueary have allowed Sculpture Walk Springfield to install the projector on their building, use their electrical system and cover the cost of the audio component, Bechtel said.

"The cost for artist stipends, electricity and maintenance for Alleyscapes will be minimal," she added. "We do not offer artists the same amount for their video works as we do for sculptures or murals, and with the cast being up for approximately six hours a day, we anticipate our yearly cost for maintenance to be between $2,000-$3,000."

The Alleyscapes artwork will be projected on a parking garage in the alley, she said. Works from nine more artists are being sought, she added.

The project is a deviation for Sculpture Walk Springfield, which works to bring temporary sculptures to downtown Springfield.