Five-foot-by-6-foot fiberglass shoes will be on display as organizers of this summer's Shoe-la-bration introduce the project to the community.
The larger-than-life shoes will be embellished by artists and placed around the city as part of the Soles of Haverhill project. It recalls the Cow Parade public art installations that occurred in 2000 when project organizers displayed life-size fiberglass cows, painted by prominent artists, in cities around the nation.
Haverhill's shoe art installation celebrates the city's connection with the shoe industry. The shoes will be sponsored by individual businesses or organizations, and each will represent a nonprofit agency that contributes to the community.
The shoes, once they are decorated by artists that will be chosen by a selection committee from the Soles of Haverhill project, will be on display in prominent locations from July through October. Then, the shoes will be auctioned at a gala event at Buttonwoods Museum to benefit the nonprofit organizations with which the sponsors have partnered.
"The Soles of Haverhill Shoe-la-bration presents a genuine opportunity for residents to become involved with a first-time community art celebration," said Laura Spence Kelleher, a Soles of Haverhill committee member. "Sponsors, artists, nonprofit organizations and volunteers will be involved in an unforgettable experience."
Artists will soon pick up their shoe forms and begin their transformation.
TO LEARN MORE
What: Soles of Haverhill mixer
Who: Soles of Haverhill 'Shoe-la-bration' committee, in conjunction with Team Haverhill and Greater Haverhill Chamber of Commerce
When: Monday, March 23, 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Where: Pentucket Bank Community Room, 35 Merrimack St.
Why: To introduce the Soles of Haverhill project and bring together potential sponsors, artists, nonprofits and interested members of the community
How: Free
