A Spectacle of Speed is a public art project of the Fine Arts Council of Trumbull County and Trumbull 100 designed to boost community spirit, promote the arts and raise money for local arts and cultural organizations. It features a unique icon that also promotes Trumbull County’s proud heritage with the automobile – The Goddess of Speed – a well-known hood ornament from the Packard automobile. Thirty-six Goddess of Speed sculptures (6 feet tall by 8 feet, 6 inches, long) underwent dramatic transformations at the hands of area artists. During the summer months, the completed Goddess of Speed statues were on display in strategic public locations throughout Trumbull County.
The Gala Conclusion: Benefit Auction Twenty-five of the goddesses were auctioned at a live auction on October 27, 2007 at W. D. Packard Music Hall in Warren, Ohio, and online. Proceeds will
benefit the following non-profit organizations: Fine Arts Council of
Trumbull County, National Packard Museum,Trumbull Art Gallery’s Summerfest and Trumbull 100 Community Foundation.
Artist Statement: “This design concept pays tribute to inventors. While researching for this project, I found drawings of strange vehicles that inventors had conjured up prior to production of the automobile. I also found patented plans for engines. Eureka! I found my inspiration. She is the ‘Mother of Invention.’ She is metallic silver; her wings, cloth and base are solid white with black line drawings of early inventions of vehicles and engines. All the drawings are presented as a drafted print drawing. There is essential script near the drawings to name the inventor and vehicle.”
Artist Biography: Janice Prince received her BFA from Kent State University and her MS in secondary art education from Youngstown State University. She resides in Cortland, Ohio, with her husband John. Prince is an art teacher at Buckeye Local Schools in Ashtabula County. In addition she has taught for the Trumbull County Educational Service Center and Trumbull Art Gallery. While starting out with watercolors, she has now grown to love working with oils. She also works with wheel-thrown pottery and designs quilts. Her work has been exhibited at Trumbull Art Gallery and the Butler Institute of American Art.
