Piano coming to Sutton Loop Park

Maplewood resident Laura Miller had a vision – interactive public art. Inspired by other cities like Denver and Boston, which have pianos in public spaces, Laura contacted Sheila Suderwalla, Executive Director of the Maplewood nonprofit Artists First, according to a press release from the group.

An art studio serving adults with disabilities, youth and veterans, Artists First was the perfect partner to help make the vision of interactive public art a reality. The arrival of the piano (thanks to Maplewood’s Public Works Department) to Artists First coincided with the studio’s venture into combining music, poetry and visual art.

For months, artists skillfully added their unique touches to the piano, consulting with each other about where to include the mosaic, paint, collage and marker that represents their various skills and talents. And, because the delivery of the piano coincided with Arts in Unity, an Artists First special project that combines music, poetry and visual art, local musicians who visited the studio to play music while artists created art and poetry played the piano along with artists. Some artists shared their own playing skills and some even learned a short piece or two.

“When I first experienced the public pianos in Denver, CO, I immediately thought of my community, Maplewood. I knew this was something the community would embrace,” said Miller.  “My hope is that we will be able to place additional pianos around Maplewood in the future.”

Beginning the morning of April 1 the piano will be placed under the park pavilion in Sutton Loop Park for all to play and enjoy. It will be covered overnight.  The city plans to leave it out through early fall.

For more information about Artists First visit www.artistsfirststl.org.