Plume Project
The Plume Project was a Knight Arts Challenge Grant recipient, formed from a collaboration with Public Art St. Paul, City Art Collaboratory and District Energy St. Paul. The project was spearheaded by Aaron Dysart, Emily Stover, Andrea Steudel and Asia Ward. The lead artists used the steam plume from District Energy's Biomass Power Plant as a high profile stage for light displays, addressing the topic of energy within three distinct artworks.
Project campaign video
This video was used to highlight the project goals and provides a good summary of events. The Knight Arts Challenge Grant provided only half of the funding for the $70K project, the other half was fundraised by the Plume Project Artists. The artists matched the grant in multiple ways, with high profile fundraising events, crowd funding through Indiegogo, corporate sponsorship, as well as in kind labor. An LLC was created to manage funds and liability over the two year project period. Many permits were gathered, from light permits, to banner, signage, and sidewalk clearance. Imagery was curated in partnership with District Energy St. Paul.
Video by Nick Nelson supported by City of Saint Paul Communications Services
Plume Project Artists
The Plume Project used the steam plume from District Energy's Biomass Power Plant as a high profile stage for light displays, addressing the topic of energy within three distinct artworks
Emily Stover used poetry to talk about city infrastructure
Aaron Dysart represented NASA data of the sun’s surface
Asia Ward created a community drawing platform about positive energy
With powerful lights and a venue projector the Plume Project celebrated an internationally recognized community energy system and also brought attention to St. Paul’s newly minted Eco District
Plume Project Gallery
A selection of Coloring Contest submissions
My project, Plume Coloring Contest, was an open call for local residents to submit content based on the topic “Positive Energy” to be projected onto District Energy’s steam plume. Anyone was welcome to enter their drawing, video, or photo, to the Coloring Contest application website which contained educational information and local examples of renewable energy resources. Selected content was curated and projected onto the plume for the whole city to enjoy
