City to celebrate public artwork

Manhole covers aren’t normally the subject of artistic interpretation, but an exhibit of rubbing transfers of manhole covers from Israel will be on display at City Hall between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday this month as a celebration of Public Works Month.

The artist behind the manhole cover rubbings, Perry Olds, was inspired by grids and gridded art to create his collection of manhole cover prints.

Olds took rubbing transfers of manhole covers throughout Israel in the fall of 2011.

During his stay in Israel, he was inspired by the beauty of the country’s manhole covers, which feature elaborate designs and pictures that differentiate them from American manhole covers.

Using oil pastels and graphite he bought at a small art supply shop, Olds transferred as many as 30 individual manhole covers onto paper during his overseas trip.

The entire collection can be found at www.perryoldsart.com.

— Amanda Jacobson