CHESTERTOWN — The Morgnec Road Gateway Committee has announced five finalists for a new gateway public art installation associated with the Morgnec Road Solar project, officially opening the public voting phase of what has been described as a community-driven process.
The committee was formed to guide the design and selection of a permanent public art feature welcoming residents and visitors into Chestertown. According to a news release, committee members include representatives from the Kent County Department of Planning, Housing and Zoning, the Chestertown Public Arts Committee, ShoreRivers, Kent Conservation and Preservation Alliance, a Morgnec Road business, a community member at-large, the Chestertown town manager and Urban Grid, owner and operator of the Morgnec Road Solar facility.
With the finalists now selected, the committee is inviting area residents to take part in selecting the winning proposal by reviewing the finalist designs and casting a vote to help determine the future gateway artwork for Kent County.
Voting will begin at 5 p.m. Friday, March 6 and will close at 11:59 p.m. Thursday, March 12.
There are three ways to vote:
1. Visit Kent Cultural Alliance [101 Spring Ave., Chestertown] to view the finalist submissions and cast a vote using a QR code or a public laptop available on site.
2. Vote using the QR code provided on the competition display at participating local libraries during regular business hours. Look for the display at Kent County Public Library, 408 High St., Chestertown; Rock Hall branch, 21258 Rock Hall Ave.; or North County Branch, 119 N. Main St., Building E, Suite 3, Galena.
3. Visit the Morgnec Solar project website https://www.urbangridsolar.com/projects/morgnec-solar-in-kent-county-maryland/, and follow the public voting link.
The finalists and their entries will be revealed Friday, March 6 when the QR codes will function.
Each of the five finalists will receive a $1,000 stipend, contributed by Kent County.
The winning artist is set to receive a commission of $75,000, paid by Urban Grid’s Morgnec Road Solar facility.
Installation is targeted for the end of September, and a public unveiling event is planned for October.
