Three artistic entities have been chosen for consideration as part of the Shoreline Signals public art initiative to integrate art into the Central Iowa Water Trails project. According to a news release, the artists are Matthew Mazzotta, Andrea Polli, and the arts agency +/& (Plus/And), made up of artists Amanda Lovelee and Emily Stover. The artists have been tasked with designing art that will draw people to the river while communicating safety for entrance and usage, the release stated. Shoreline Signals is the fulfillment of a 2020 National Endowment for the Arts “Our Town” grant to Polk County and Bravo Greater Des Moines. Our Town projects integrate arts, culture and design to strengthen communities by advancing local economic, physical and social outcomes. Group Creatives, a public art consulting company, will oversee the project. The artists, who all have experience in large-scale installations, will submit their proposals in April. A selection committee will choose the final artist, with installation planned for late summer 2022. “Shoreline Signals is just one example of how art can act as a problem solver,” Sally Dix, executive director of Bravo Greater Des Moines, said. “We are confident that these installations will be a catalyst for similar projects in our region.” Hannah Inman, CEO of the Great Outdoors Foundation, the fundraising arm of Central Iowa Water Trails, said it’s critical to be able to communicate water safety in ways that “transcends language, and art is the ideal way to do that.” According to the release, the selection project is expected to conclude this spring, with on-site beta testing and fabrication beginning later this summer.