Local artists to share community pride in Art on Auburn 2 contest

ROCHESTER HILLS — Community members are invited to tap into their creativity to help beautify the sidewalks in the Auburn Road corridor, around the Brooklands Plaza.

In celebration of the city of Rochester Hills’ 40th birthday, the city and the Paint Creek Center for the Arts are teaming up to host Art on Auburn 2, inviting artists to express their love for the city through their artwork while answering the question: “Why do you love Rochester Hills?”

The first Art on Auburn contest brought local K-12 art to the streets in the redesigned Auburn Road corridor, illustrating the theme “What Community Means to Me.”

Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett said Art on Auburn was incredibly popular with students the first time the program was launched.

“Thanks to their efforts, we now have 25 beautiful pieces that are on display all year long,” he said in a statement.

This time around, artists of all ages and levels are encouraged to participate in the communitywide initiative.

“We are excited to open this program up to local artists of all ages and highlight local talent in this extraordinary way,” Barnett said in a statement.

Officials said submissions are open to anyone who loves Rochester Hills, and they must reflect their admiration for the city.

“It’s a great way to showcase the skills and artistic talents of our residents who are familiar with the city,” said Planning and Economic Development Director Sara Roediger. “I’m really excited to see all the great reasons why people love Rochester Hills.”

Artists are asked to have their artwork fit within a circular frame, maintaining the original Art on Auburn’s shape, using a maximum of five specified colors. Each artist may submit up to two designs, with only one eligible for placement.

The submission portal is open through May 10.

A jury of artists and community representatives will select 50 works of art to move onto online community voting, with at least the top 20 vote-getters selected for installation.

“There will be some improvements to the splash pad and the Brooklands Plaza this summer, so we thought it would be a great time to add some art to the plaza itself,” Roediger explained.

Shaun Hayes, the executive director of the PCCA, said the art center is always excited to partner with the city to bring art to the community.

“The first Art on Auburn project was a huge success, and we expect a great deal of enthusiasm to see this return,” he said in a statement.

For more information and to submit artwork, visit rochesterhills.org/artonauburn2.