Celebrating a decade
Uncommon Common Art retrospective exhibit on display to mark 10 years of public artwork
Kate Trevors, chair of the Community Service Committee for Mud Creek Rotary, presented a cheque to Uncommon Common Art director, Terry Drahos, to support an educational art program in the schools.
It has been 11 years since Terry Drahos started the Uncommon Common Art project as a seasonal
project bringing visual art out of institutions and galleries and sharing it directly with the community, making it accessible to everyone.
To recognize this milestone, a retrospective art exhibit was installed at the Charles Macdonald Concrete House Museum in Centreville. What started as an ad hoc group of artists in 2008 has grown to a nationally-recognized annual art program. The exhibit celebrates its first decade with a look back at past uncommon art in common places, says Drahos.
“The exhibit features remnants of the past 10 years of public art in Kings County and examines some of the global topics that are
reflected in the content of the 100 plus art installations Uncommon Common Art has presented,” says Drahos.
Drahos says it is interesting to look back over the years to see how much the program has evolved. She also loved reconnecting with former artists to curate the current exhibit.
Many of the artists attended the opening celebration of the exhibit, including Twila Robar-decoste, who is one of two artists who have been with the program since its inception in 2007. Over the years, Robar-decoste has created many art installations, including several whimsical animals that her husband, John Decoste, has staked into their front lawn.
Her favourite creation was in 2012, when she fabricated a large moose, entitled Moose in the Headlights, and affectionately called Harold.
“We loved that moose so much, he stayed up until Christmas and even had lights strung on him,” says Robar-decoste.
Harold the moose later went to an ailing friend’s home, where he lived for several years until he disintegrated, as he was made from natural materials.
Robar-decoste is hoping to participate again next year in the Uncommon Common Art program if she’s selected.
“Now that the program is bigger, and we have charitable status,” says Drahos. “The art is juried, being selected by a panel after submissions are collected in October.”