"Images of America" Art Project

The noted artist, Phillip Ratner, was commissioned by University Town Center to create new public art for the emerging mixed use development. Mr. Ratner’s studio is in Bethesda, Maryland. He has created art in many Washington area homes and institutions. He is particularly well known for his art at the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island in New York, and at the Supreme Court in Washington, DC.

He has also established two museums, the Dennis and Phillip Ratner Museum in Bethesda, and the Israel Bible Museum in Safed, Israel.

The signature art presentation for University Town Center consists of four units, each twelve feet high and five feet wide. The art is laser cut from aluminum, hand painted and mounted in an aluminum frame.

Ratner also has prepared replicas of eighteen historical documents portraying key aspects of the founding and growth of the United States. Each of the documents and brief descriptions are presented on 2’x3’ free standing aluminum frames.

The signature art and the documents are exhibited in a newly landscaped area called Documents Garden, which is at the Metro 3 office building in the University Town Center development. Several archivists and historians at the National Archives volunteered to assist Mr. Ratner with his selections.

Additionally, Mr. Ratner created eight larger-than-life terrapins, which were designed and painted by students in four Prince George’s County schools with themes relating to American history. The terrapins were displayed on the plaza as a temporary installation as part of the University Town Center art project.

Prince George's County Arts Council

The Prince George's Arts and Humanities Council has been a long-time tenant of the Metro 3 office building. UTC has coordinated with PGAC to exhibit a display of local art in the Metro 3 lobby. New exhibits are rotated in on a frequent basis, so be sure to check back in.