Corbin train art exhibit to go on display Oct. 31

The city of Corbin’s first public art project will go on display Halloween Day, and the town’s Main Street Manager said the end result will be something she thinks the town will be proud of.

Entitled "Monuments of Art, Spirit and Heritage" the project consists of 15 polyresin train sculptures about three feet in length that have decorated by local schools and commissioned artists. They will all be displayed together downtown at the old Cox’s House of Furniture site. Each train, Myers said Tuesday, is compelling and tells a story in its own right. They all will be displayed on pedestals and stand within sections of railroad constructed with cross ties donated by CSX.

"Blown away is not even a strong enough way to express how I feel about this project," Myers said. "To me, the images are part of the relationship process that has happened with every group and artist that has participated … I know this is something the community is going to be proud of."

Corbin’s Public Works Department is currently building the sections of track that each train will be displayed within. Myers said each of the trains is also going through a clear coating process to prevent damage from weather and sun.
The trains will be on display for about a year, and then will be auctioned off to help fund a permanent statue of KFC founder

Colonel Harland Sanders that will stand downtown.

"We are using art as a way to tell our story here in Corbin," Myers said. "Corbin would not exist without the railroad, so the forms for our first project was obvious. We want to take the proceeds from this to keep using art as a way to build an identity for the community."

Myers said she personally selected all the artists for the project. Some of the trains where given to local schools for students to decorate. Most were given to commissioned artists. One was even left in the hands of several retired railroad workers living at Heritage Nursing Home.

All of them, Myers said, are visually interesting.

Each of the trains will include panels with artist biographies and the concept behind the designs.

There will also be six storyboard panels on site that will tell the history of Corbin and its relationship to the railroad.

The project was made possible by private donations from individuals and local companies. CSX donated $5,000 alone for the project.

Myers said U.S. Representative Harold "Hal" Rogers (R-Somerset) plans to be in Corbin for the unveiling of the project Oct. 31. A definite time for a dedication ceremony has not yet been set in order to work around Rogers’ schedule.