Light-hearted approach to the cumbersome road construction season

STEVENS POINT, Wis. (June 7, 2016) – Portage County resident are displaying their creativity with temporary art sculptures as part of the Orange Barrel Art Tour. Sculptures made from orange construction barrels, cones and road construction posts are on public display now thru Labor Day weekend.

The Stevens Point Area Convention and Visitors Bureau along with CREATE Portage County introduced the Orange Barrel Art Project as a way to bring tourists and passers-through out of the construction zones and into the Stevens Point area. Local sculptors of all ages and abilities have repurposed orange barrels donated by Mega Rentals into public art displays in an effort to bring relief from the trying construction season.

“The creative economy is thriving throughout the Stevens Point area “, said Sara Brish, executive director of the Stevens Point Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. “This project allows us to showcase our community’s creative side to locals and visitors alike.”

Currently, there are seven completed projects on exhibit in the Stevens Point area in front of both local residences and businesses. A full list of available pieces, descriptions and locations is available at OrangeBarrelArt.com. Visitors are encouraged to participate in the journey by using the hashtag #OrangeBarrelArt on any social media platform.  

The Stevens Point Area Convention and Visitors Bureau is an economic and community development organization whose purpose is to expand Portage County’s economy by attracting conventions, sporting events and leisure tourists to Portage County. The SPACVB provides visitors with local and state information, including travel guides, maps and brochures.

For more information about the Stevens Point Area, visit StevensPointArea.com. The SPACVB can also be found on Facebook (facebook.com/StevensPointArea), Twitter (twitter.com/StevensPtArea) and Pinterest (pinterest.com/StevensPtArea) and Instagram (instagram.com/stevenspointarea).

CREATE Portage County is an initiative launched in 2015 by The Arts Alliance of Portage County with the mission to develop a more vibrant and engaging community through arts and culture advocacy and creative placemaking. More information on CREATE Portage County can be obtained via email at info@createportagecounty.org or by visiting createportagecounty.org.