Places nominated to our Census of Places that Matter are often of modest architectural distinction. They do not always reach out and grab the passerby's attention, or make their significance known. Place-marking is one way to reveal hidden secrets. In February 2002, Place Matters issued an open call to architects, artists, and graphic designers to "think outside the plaque" in developing ideas for place-markers. More than 100 design teams responded with innovative place-marker concepts — ranging from large-scale image projections to sidewalk sculpture. A jury of public art specialists and civic leaders selected eight winning entries, based on creative flair, feasibility, ability to engage the public, and sensitivity to community-based histories. Winners then proceeded to transform concepts into designs. The schematic designs produced by the competition finalists went on view from March 20 - April 30, 2003 in an exhibition called "Marking Places that Matter: New Views on Favorite Places," at the Urban Center Gallery at 457 Madison Ave. The exhibit presentations are re-created here. They offer views through time and walls, reflections on networks and patterns of daily life, the power of the spoken word and real-life stories, and the experience of moving through the city as explorer, resident, and tourist. All the designs use as inspiration places drawn from the Census of Places that Matter. We hope to stir up interest in transforming the designs into temporary and permanent on-site place-markers in communities throughout the City. We welcome your feedback and support. Winning Teams Miriam Berman and Melinda Hunt Richard Deon Klem/Bogan (Neill Bogan and Tom Klem) Aaron Krach Adam Lubinsky and Gary Stoltz normaldesign - neumann/romines/neumann Marc Norman and Jonathan Massey, with Tobias P. Frank David Provan Competition Jurors Charlotte Cohen, Director, Percent for Art Program, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs Dorothy Desir, Director, Community Arts Initiatives, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council Jenny Dixon, Executive Director, Bronx Museum of the Arts Andrew Jackson, Executive Director, Langston Hughes Library and Cultural Center, Corona, Queens Peggy King Jorde, Principal, KING JORDE Cultural Projects Consulting Robert Lee, Executive Director, Asian American Arts Centre Gabriela Mirensky, Director of Competitions, American Institute of Graphic Arts Christopher Neville, architectural historian and public artist Harriet F. Senie, Director of Museum Studies, Professor of Art History, The City College of New York Valerie Smith, Director of Exhibitions, Queens Museum of Art. Place Matters Laura Hansen, Marci Reaven, Steve Zeitlin, Co-Directors Exhibit Design Design Laboratories