New Britain Gets Brighter With ‘Boxes Of Art’

Sarah Willson, Editor-in-Chief

New Britain may be getting a bit brighter after the city announced it is now accepting design proposals from artists interested in turning traffic light control boxes into works of art.

Orchestrated by Mayor Erin Stewart and the New Britain Commission on the Arts as part of a “High Voltage Art Project,” eager artists can submit their design proposals for the third year in a row, according to the city’s website.

“With the arrival of the ‘Bees Across New Britain’ project and more painted traffic control boxes, it is going to be a colorful and vibrant spring here in our city,” Stewart said in a press release.

The “Art Boxes” originally appeared at the Little Poland Festival in the spring of 2016. Nine other boxes in the downtown area have been turned into art as well with designs ranging from Polish folk art to original drawings.

Funded entirely through contributions from the city and donors including the Polonia Business Association, Stanley Black & Decker, Jasko Development, the Downtown District and more, according to the city.

Potential artists, who must be state residents, will receive a $300 stipend from funds that are raised through donations from business and community organizations, according to the press release.  A “special consideration” will be given to New Britain artists who are not residents of Connecticut.

Artists seeking to participate may submit up to three design proposals and are encouraged to submit work that draws “inspiration from New Britain’s rich history.”

Submissions will be accepted on a rolling basis with a selection being made by the New Britain Art Commission and Stewart’s office. The deadline to apply is Monday, April 8.

Anyone interested in filling out an application can go to www.newbritainct.gov.