Anybody who knows Downtown York knows that our Historically Edgy community has no shortage of public art. Whether it’s the murals of the Royal Square District, the industrial sculptures of North George Street, or the larger-than-life metal flowers of Foundry Plaza, public art abounds. As the organization committed to driving, enhancing, and encouraging investment in Downtown York, Downtown Inc has played an integral role in the installation and the maintenance of many of the community’s prominent pieces.
After Robert Machovec’s Yellow Farm Cat sculpture which sat along the 200 block of North George Street fell into disrepair, Downtown Inc worked to secure funding, made possible with the support of the York County Community Foundation to make the necessary repairs. Now, after hours of work, Machovec proudly re-installs his cat to its place of prominence along Downtown York’s main thoroughfare.
Like many of Machovec’s works, the Yellow Farm Cat was crafted using old farm equipment pieces found throughout York County. With a body sculpted from horseshoes, a head from a shovel, and ears made from plow parts, the sculpture embodies both York’s prominent history as well as its edgy future.
As a self-employed artist working with metal for over 35 years, Machovec’s work can be found throughout York County. In addition to the reinstallation of the Yellow Farm Cat, Downtown York will soon be the home to another of his works. When the historic Yorktowne Hotel opens later this year, the hotel’s grand entry courtyard will be graced with the presence of a colorful and eclectic motorcycle sculpture, crafted from found pieces of metal from various locations around York. Want to learn more about Machovec’s motorcycle sculpture as part of the Yorktowne Artist Series? Click here to watch a short video.
To discover all of the amazing public art to be found in #HistoricallyEdgy Downtown York, click here.
