Ithaca Art Bike Racks Preview

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1

Comedy/Tragedy by Danielle Bates

Cycling is very important to artist Danielle Bates and having a secure space to leave one’s bike around town even more so. She fully supports Ithaca's cycling movement and looks forward to the new bike share program launching this spring! The artist’s two wheels travel on Bike Boulevard daily to and from work no matter the weather. She also teaches an indoor cycling fitness class called "RPM" at FLX Fitclub.As well as being an avid cyclist, Bates is a local actor and dedicates this bike-rack design in honor of Ithaca's vibrant theatre community. The performing arts are abundant in this area and full of outstanding local talent, so it's only fitting that she represents her colleagues with pride and supports the arts in the years to come.

2

Need a Hand by Micah Schwartz

Micah Schwartz is a 16 year old who was born and raised in Ithaca, New York, where he learned to love and appreciate travel and recreation by biking. He rides his bike most days around town for getting places and for fun. He also really likes drawing and design.This design contest is the perfect blend of things he loves.Schwartz chose this bike-rack design of a hand and the title, “Need A Hand,” because most people need a hand locking up their bike.

3

Fish out of Water by Taylor Brady

Taylor Brady is an Ithaca College graduate, class of ’17.Brady majored in Architectural Studies, which sparked an interest in design. The artist’s design was inspired by Ithaca’s landscapes and environment. Ithaca is unique for its gorges, and the bike rack design is tied to these concepts.The name came from the actual shape of the bike rack (a fish) and trying to connect that to Cayuga Lake. Brady hoped that seeing fun bike racks downtown will encourage people to get out and be active.

4

Fork, Spoon, and Knife by Stephanie Johnson

Stephanie Johnson has a passion for the outdoors and art.Johnson grew up in Alexandria Bay, NY, in the Thousand Islands. She recently moved to the Owego area with her husband, as that is where he grew up and his family’s business is. She has a passion for the outdoors and art. This competition brought both of Johnson’s passions together in a unique way.In designing this bike rack, Johnson wanted to highlight the amazing local food that can be found in Ithaca.

5

Iris and Phaethon by Linka Preus

Linka Preus is a resident of downtown Ithaca. Her design has been inspired by Greek mythology.In Greek mythology, Iris is the personification of the rainbow and a messenger of the gods. Phaethon is the son of Helios, the sun god. After his death Phaethon was placed amongst the stars as the constellation Auriga (“The Charioteer”) or else transformed into the god of the star which the Greeks named Phaethon—the planet Jupiter or Saturn. The name means “the shining” or “radiant one.”

6

I Love Ithaca, NY by Stephanie Johnson

Stephanie Johnson grew up in Alexandria Bay, NY in the Thousand Islands. She recently moved to the Owego area with her husband, as that is where he grew up and his family’s business is. She has a passion for the outdoors and art. This competition brought both of Johnson’s passions together in a unique way.In designing this bike rack, Johnson wanted to highlight the passion that the people of the Southern Tier have for the wonderful city of Ithaca, NY.

7

Karen Sun by Robert Roemisch and an Anonymous Artist

This bike rack is in memory of Aung Htoo, beloved father, brother, husband, friend. Aung Htoo was born in the spring of 1979 in Karen State in Burma, where he worked as a rice farmer.Aung Htoo and his wife escaped persecution, fleeing through the jungle to a refugee camp in Thailand. They stayed at the camp for eleven years where they had three children. In June 2010, Aung Htoo brought his family to Ithaca for a better life. He touched the hearts of people all over this community with his easy smile and eagerness to help.The design of this bike rack, submitted by two artists, was inspired by the Karen sun, always rising.

8

Made for Each Other by Ivy Stevens-Gupta

Ivy Stevens-Gupta is a contemporary artist, marketing consultant, and lecturer who specializes in large abstract paintings.The thought of creating functional art for downtown Ithaca cyclists was a motivating factor in her design. The interlocking puzzle pieces were inspired by Stevens-Gupta's husband, who is an avid cyclist and motivates her to get out and ride more.As someone who teaches color theory and is a certified color therapist, the artist chose orange for this bike rack because of its energizing, warm, and joyful qualities. Check out her art studio on the Greater Ithaca Art Trail.

9

Peeps by Chris Willett

Chris Willett is an active biker in and around the Finger Lakes region, enjoying the way this connects him to nature. Riding a bike through the streets to get to work, the Farmers' Market, or to see friends, is a quick and eco-friendly way to get around.The design for "Peeps" plays on that connection between people and nature—a reminder that if we can take the time to enjoy our world and experience the wonderful offerings we have before us, then perhaps we will revere it more. It is also important that we, as a society, look to using more public transportation and fossil-fuel-free modes of transportation. Hopefully more attractive bike racks in more areas will promote the use of this type of transportation.Tell all the "peeps" you know to use their bikes! Let's go!

10

The High Wheeler by Jonathan Billing

Jonathan Billing was born in Ithaca and graduated from Ithaca High School and SUNY Cortland.Billing has always enjoyed biking for exercise and as a mode of transportation. On a month-long trip Billing biked the West Coast from Seattle to San Diego. In high school he learned how to unicycle, which started an interest in unique bicycles and pedaled vehicles.Billing’s bike rack is modeled after one of the most well-known unique bicycles that was invented in the late Victorian era. This bike was known as the penny farthing, and the bike rack is titled “The High Wheeler” after one of its less common names.

11

Painter’s Palette by Nellia Mattson

Nellia Mattson is a nine-year-old Ithaca native with a passion for music, performance, and art. Mattson was inspired to design her bike rack because when biking, you feel so free, almost as if each pedaling motion is like the stroke of a paint brush on a canvas.In the last few years, Mattson remembers biking in the warm summer sun, biking when snow still covers the sides of the road, and even biking to school nearly every day for the five months her family was on sabbatical in Davis, California. She is looking forward to upgrading to a 24-inch bike this summer.

12

Tour de Cabernet by Daniel Sperling

Daniel Sperling, a student at Cornell Law School, graduated May 2018. He has thoroughly enjoyed his time in Ithaca.One of Sperling's fondest memories has been visiting the amazing vineyards that are so close to Ithaca. There’s no better way to appreciate Ithaca and all Upstate New York has to offer than to spend a nice, warm day with a glass of wine at any one of the beautiful surrounding vineyards. And there are so many amazing restaurants on The Commons that serve local wine from the Finger Lakes, bringing these vineyards close to you.His design pays homage to the memories he has made at these vineyards and restaurants, and, he hopes, will remind everyone of all that Ithaca has to offer!

Ithaca Art Bike Racks
12 Stops