NEWS
Posted on Saturday, September 8th, 2012 12:27 pm
EASTHAMPTON SAVINGS BANK SELECTS PROPOSAL OF ECA+ ARTIST
In collaboration with Easthampton City Arts+, Easthampton Savings Bank announces the selection of ECA+ artist Eileen Jager to create a site-specific work of art for the new Easthampton Savings Bank Loan and Banking Center.
After deliberating over the 30+ proposals for a permanent display in the recently completed Loan and Banking Center, representatives including Easthampton Savings Bank President, William Hogan, selected the proposal by glass artist Eileen Jager. The application called for original works created by a registered ECA+ member that will be displayed in the prominent location of the building’s lobby. The selected applicant will receive up to $10,000 commission from the bank.
Located on the corner of Northampton and O’Neil Streets, the new structure houses the entire lending team and operations departments, as well as provides banking services with a new branch office. The new building has architectural elements that emulate Easthampton’s historic mill buildings with contemporary features that connect it to the 21st century. It is anticipated that approximately 75 - 100 customers will walk through the building’s lobby daily.
Jager, who says she is “delighted” to have her proposal selected for the Easthampton Savings Bank Loan and Banking Center, blends traditional stained glass and mosaic techniques in her work. She utilizes these techniques and incorporates rich and bold colors to create multidimensional sculpture.
“I use a very special iridescent glass that shimmers like a peacock feather. It has a subtle, alive quality that changes with the light of day and shifts as the viewer moves,” says Jager.
The light and color transformation was a component that attracted Easthampton Savings Bank to Jager’s work. After meeting with ECA+ and Easthampton Savings Bank representatives, Jager began finalizing the design of the project for the approximately-sized 5’ x 5’ lobby wall. Her abstract composition is inspired by natural elements and forms such as the skyline of Mount Tom as featured prominently in views from the back of the new building.
Jager practices her art at One Cottage Street where she has held a studio for almost 21 years and is chairperson for Cottage Street Studios. She earned an MFA from Alfred University in glass and sculpture and has studied at Tyler School of Art and West Glamorgan Institute of Higher Education in Swansea Wales, UK. Her work has been featured in prominent publications such as American Style, The Artful Home, and Furniture Style. As a Certified Practitioner of Interior Alignment, Jager helps clients change the way they think about environments they inhabit through her business and feng shui practice called the Artfully Home.
Jager’s completed work will be presented at a public viewing in the Easthampton Savings Bank Loan and Banking Center lobby. A date for the celebratory unveiling will be determined upon completion of the site-specific work in the fall of 2012.
