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Tuesday, November 15, 2016

Attack of the killer B sculptures in downtown Bethesda (Photos)

Aluminum letter-B-shaped sculptures popped up all over downtown Bethesda yesterday. The apparently permanent additions to the streetscape are designed to brand downtown Bethesda as an arts and entertainment district, according to the Bethesda Urban Partnership. They were designed by Mark Kramer of Mark Kramer Architects.

Montgomery County paid $50,000, and many well-known Bethesda names, businesses and organizations contributed a matching amount:

  • Bernard Family Foundation
  • The Bernstein Companies
  • Chevy Chase Land Company
  • The Donohoe Companies
  • EagleBank
  • Fred & Starr Ezra
  • Greenhill Realty
  • Jane Fairweather Team/Coldwell Banker
  • LA and LK Greenberg Charitable Foundation
  • Lerch, Early & Brewer
  • Linowes and Blocher
  • Mark Kramer Architects
  • Montgomery County, MD
  • Stage 2 A/V Productions
  • TD Bank
  • Vamoose
  • Zachary & Janna Oxman

What's your impression of the new sculptures? Leave your opinions in the comment section below.


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13 comments:

  1. Anonymous7:38 AM

    21 hours, 15 minutes.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous7:41 AM

    I wish the money was spent on nicer Welcome to Bethesda signs. The one at Woodmont/Wisconsin looks like a sign for a warehouse. Bethesda deserves better.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous7:45 AM

    Speaking of proofreading, the second image is BACKWARDS!

    "B" is for "Birdbrain"!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Anonymous7:46 AM

    So it's just a "B" and no "Bethesda" anywhere. Lovely. People are going to wonder what it's for.

    The cost is exactly why we need Bethesda Urban Partnership to disclose their financials. You can see their annual report here: http://www.bethesda.org/bethesda/about-bup

    It's all gloss and no substance. Lots of pretty photos, but no income statement or balance sheet or budget. Are they trying to hide something?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous7:56 AM

      How much Art and Entertainment is there anyway? Not much I don't think and certainly not enough to justify this expense and effort

      Delete
  5. Anonymous8:13 AM

    B for boring Bethesda. Honestly, there is absolutely nothing creative or artistic about these silly letters B. A waste of money; they don't tell you anything.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Anonymous8:18 AM

    The "B" is fine. But the backs of the signs look awful. That was birdbrained.
    Once you're here, who cares?

    ReplyDelete
  7. Anonymous8:23 AM

    Downtown Silver Spring has easily surpassed Bethesda for the arts.
    So, these signs are kind of a joke.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous9:27 AM

    I see lots of names on that list of contributors who will have nothing to do with Dyer because of his endorsement of Donald Trump.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Anonymous12:54 PM

    @9:27AM - Pfft! Oh honey, not everyone is as close-minded as you.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Anonymous1:34 PM

    "Assault. Restaurant in 7900 block of Norfolk Avenue."

    A local restauranteur chased Robert Dyer out of his establishment, menacing him with a spatula, after Dyer repeatedly demanded free food and drink.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Robert Dyer6:07 PM

      1:34: Thanks for reminding us of the mental health crisis facing our nation today. Hopefully you get the help you need.

      Delete
  11. Anonymous2:46 PM

    I saw one of these B signs outside the library today. Ugly and out of place. It's not really an arts district either. Waste of money.

    ReplyDelete