Summer art exhibit to be out of this world

The three-month public art show titled “Space Invasion in Stamford Downtown,” organized by the Stamford Downtown Special Services District, is set to land in June

STAMFORD — Sightings of UFOs in Stamford are expected to see a major spike this summer.

Space invaders, in the form of flying saucers and an alien rocket, are scheduled to land in June as part of a three-month public art show titled “Space Invasion in Stamford Downtown.”

The outdoor exhibit is the latest in the summer art program put on by the Stamford Downtown Special Services District for more than 20 years.

Sandy Goldstein, president of DSSD, said this year’s theme should provide plenty of colorful

and playful interpretations from local artists.

“We’re really psyched and excited about this year’s coming art exhibit,” she said.

Applications for submitting designs are already available online and the deadline in Feb. 15.

Once the top 30 or so space-themed designs are selected by a juried panel, the artists will be given between one and two months to finish their pieces. The eight-foot fiberglass sculptures will be installed starting in late May, with an opening night scheduled for June 12.

Previous art installation themes have included cows, horses, dinosaurs and different geometrical shapes.

Artists can submit up to four designs and can choose a variety of ways to transform the sculptures, including painting, sculpting and adorning the pieces. Among the acceptable objects to add

“We have three really engaging space ships which are coming to the downtown and they will be creatively attacked by a whole host of artists.” Sandy Goldstein, president of DSSD

to the sculptures are mosaic tiles, wood and tin. Artists will be paid

$ 1,500 for each piece they produce.

At the end of the exhibit, the pieces will be auctioned and a portion of the proceeds will go to a yet-to-determined charity.

“We have three really engaging space ships which are coming to the downtown and they will be creatively attacked by a whole host of artists,” Goldstein said.

For information, visit stamford-downtown.com or send an email to events@stamforddowntown.com.

Hearst Connecticut Media file photo The art piece “Angelsaurus” in the annual downtown outdoor art exhibit “Dinosaurs Rule!” in Stamford in June 2015. This summer’s public art installation, organized by the Stamford Downtown Special Services District, will feature a “space invasion” theme.

Contributed Image Stamford Downtown’s latest summer public art installation will feature a “space invasion” theme. These are illustrations of the three fiberglass sculptures that artists will be able to design in their own way before they are placed in various locations across the city from June through August. Interested artists can submit their designs by Feb. 15.

Jason Rearick/Hearst Connecticut Media David Macharelli, of Waterbury, puts the finishing touches on his painted dinosaur titled Samuraisaurus on display in the downtown outdoor art exhibit, Dinosaurs Rule!, in Stamford in June 2015.