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Downtown hydrant art to be celebrated on Sept. 8

Barry Cochran, one of 24 artists participating in the Huntington Arts Initiative’s fire hydrant art project, puts the finishing touches on his hydrant in preparation for the project’s opening on Sept. 8.
Barry Cochran, one of 24 artists participating in the Huntington Arts Initiative’s fire hydrant art project, puts the finishing touches on his hydrant in preparation for the project’s opening on Sept. 8. Photo provided.

Fire hydrants in the downtown Huntington area are again serving as canvases for local artists.

The 24 participating artists are painting the fire hydrants to celebrate movies in keeping with this year's theme, "Lights! Camera! Action!" The finished works depict classic movies, comedies, dramas, musicals and animated movies.

Opening day for the hydrant art is Sunday, Sept. 8, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The exhibit is presented by the Huntington Arts Initiative, and Arts Initiative founders Debbie Dyer, Rich Najuch and Ann Siegfried will be handing out popcorn during the event to celebrate the premier of the exhibit.

Maps showing the locations of the hydrants and listing the artists who painted them will be available at The New Huntington Theatre, 528 N. Jefferson St., Huntington.

Also during the afternoon, ThEatery chef Jim Houser will create an ice sculpture under the theater marquee to coordinate with the "Lights! Camera! Action!" theme.
Brock's Cakery, 37 E. Washington St., will sell star-studded cupcakes, and Antiqology, 401 N. Jefferson St., will sell red carpet floats and other items.

Local photographer and videographer Rob Myers will again produce a video documenting the event. Last year's "A is for Alphabet" online video has had 1,000 views and can be seen by following the link on the Arts Initiative's Facebook page.

Businesses and individuals serving as sponsors of this year's public art exhibit include Huntington Sheet Metal, the city of Huntington, Eric and Shirley Harman, Bippus State Bank, Lyle and Susan Smith, E&B Paving, Mettler Agency, Smith Furniture, Mike's Car Care, First Federal Savings Bank, TrophyCenter Plus, Dyer Health and Wellness, The New Huntington Theatre and the LaFontaine Arts Council.