FuseArt Adds Color to Downtown Statesville

North Meeting St. and W. BroadPhoto byKim McKinney

Electric boxes are usually black boxes that look, well, utilitarian. Some would say ugly. Others have never noticed them.

Statesville has joined many other cities and towns across the country to make these black boxes go from eyesores to art, from boring to beautiful.

Tradd St. to the left of McGriffPhoto byKim McKinney

Nine power boxes around Statesville are now wrapped in art.

Power boxes receive electricity from power plants and send it to businesses and homes in the area. Definitely an important function, but often unsightly. This project keeps the utility but uses art to make them something special.

E Broad St, next to ARS and behind the clock tower buildingPhoto byKim McKinney

A contest was held that captured 30 designs, with the designs of five artists chosen - Patrick Harris, Ashley Hook, Mandi Rae Corper, Joey Dill, and Xochitl Koppelmeyer.

Designs were chosen by a committee of city representatives, arts advocates, and community leaders.

To the left of City HallPhoto byKim McKinney

The art initiative was funded by a grant from Electricities, a membership organization providing power supply and related critical services to over 90 communities who provide public power to its residents.

Center St. outside of Pecan ParkPhoto byKim McKinney

There are supposed to be nine of these boxes in Statesville. Taking a Quick Look around, we found five. Have you seen the rest? If so, let us know where they are in the comments. And which is your favorite?