Midtown is alive with creativity and wonder with Midtown Association’s newest, most ambitious initiative yet, the Urban Dreams Art Experience.
The immersive art installation features 16 remarkable large-scale sculptures and art pieces. They transform rooftops, patios and public spaces into an open-air gallery.
Running through Sept. 14, the exhibition celebrates local talent with an eye toward whimsy and surprise. The project is monumental, with artworks ranging from 6 to 20 feet in height.
“Nearly a year in development and made possible by support from the office of Mayor Kevin McCarty, Supervisor Phil Serna, Sutter Health and Visit Sacramento, the all-new Urban Dreams Art Experience is a truly ambitious and incredibly exciting project all at once,” says Emily Baime Michaels, Midtown Association executive director.
Authenticity makes this art experience unique. Rather than import prefabricated art from national vendors—a route many cities take—Midtown Association partnered with Sacramento Valley Spark, a nonprofit connected with Burning Man.
Many of the artists are from Sacramento or communities around Northern California and Nevada. Their work is designed to provoke, inspire and invite viewers to see the city in a new way.
“There’s a lot of incredible mural work in Sacramento, especially in Midtown,” Michaels says. “But we noticed a gap in large-scale sculptural art in public spaces. This is our opportunity to fill that void, while staying true to the artistic spirit of our region.”
The idea for the Urban Dreams Art Experience evolved from Midtown Association’s reinvestment in the Second Saturday tradition. The idea is to expand the definition of “arts” to include culinary, performance and visual arts, along with gallery shows.
Studying other cities, organizers noticed a trend. Many places installed large art pieces but lacked local connections. “They were using corporate models, renting or purchasing generic interactive pieces,” Michaels says. “We wanted something uniquely Sacramento.”
With more than 40 artworks to choose from, curation became a challenge. Each piece had to match with a property owner, a financial sponsor and location to accommodate the installation safely and visibly.
Michaels describes the process: “The First United Methodist Church was excited to participate, and we had a stunning set of angel wings that aligned beautifully with their values. We also had the support of Randy Sater of Stonebridge Development Company as a sponsor.
“But placing it on the roof involved navigating structural concerns and ensuring the installation would be temporary but secure.”
Multiply those details times 16, and you appreciate the complexities.
Although the pieces will be on display for just five weeks, most are designed to withstand extreme outdoor conditions.
Budget constraints and installation logistics limited the schedule. “Installing massive metal sculptures on older buildings requires structural assessments that can be cost-prohibitive if done permanently,” Michaels says.
And because Midtown Association rents the artwork—and ensures artists are fairly paid—the schedule was chosen to align with funding from sponsors.
But Urban Dreams isn’t a one-time event. “We’re not promising this is the only time we’ll do this,” Michaels says. “There’s a lot of value in a rotating, evolving experience. Maybe next year we showcase different artists or explore new locations. The goal is to keep it fresh, local and meaningful.”
Michaels recently celebrated 12 years as Midtown Association’s director. Under her leadership, the organization embraces its identity as the city’s cultural core, elevating grassroots initiatives and districtwide activations.
The Urban Dreams Art Experience invites everyone to explore Midtown. Wander down alleys, look toward rooftops, peer into unexpected spaces. You’ll find art that surprises and delights.
For information, visit exploremidtown.org.
Cecily Hastings can be reached at publisher@insidepublications.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: @insidesacramento.
