ARTIST LORING CORNISH COMMISSIONED TO TRANSFORM STATION NORTH POLICE KOBAN INTO ARTISTIC BEACON

Station North Arts & Entertainment, Inc. (SNAE) presents Change for the Better, a permanent installation by artist Loring Cornish.

Since 2013, SNAE has produced temporary installations and performances at the Police Koban (or Police Box) at the corner of N Charles Street and E Lanvale Street, the southern gateway to the Station North Arts & Entertainment District.  Loring Cornish’s installation will permanently convert the abandoned structure into a work of art with mirrored, stained, and colored glass.  The installation, which has already begun, will be complete by the beginning of Artscape on July 17th.

Acknowledging its past use as a Police Box, the new installation will directly address conflict between police and citizens, as well as the recent Baltimore Uprising.  The glass mosaic will feature messages of hope directed towards police, with the goal of creating an inspirational beacon at the entrance to Station North.

“I’m giving the Police Box a complete makeover to make it more appealing to all that view it,” notes Cornish.  “Police across the country should begin to change current operating practices that have made millions of Americans very uncomfortable.”

Ben Stone, SNAE’s Executive Director, adds “I’ve admired Loring’s work for years, and I’m thrilled that we’ll soon have his art on permanent display in Station North.  This timely and bold work of art, which I hope will inspire conversation and reflection from all that see it, is in line with Station North’s mission of supporting artists while bringing art to the forefront of life in the Station North Arts & Entertainment District.”

About Loring Cornish

Loring Cornish, a Baltimore based visionary artist, was drawn to mosaics almost accidentally. While repairing the termite-damaged floor of a house he was renting, he was given some broken tiles. He glued them to the floor to cover the holes. One thing led to another, and pretty soon the floor and walls were covered with materials. He covered one whole wall with pennies. When Cornish started, he was gathering and collecting materials with a shopping cart. He took junk and trash off the streets and alleys and turned it into art. Now some of that junk and trash is hanging in museums. He still finds materials just about anywhere, making art out of what the city has to offer, using whatever is in season.