New London — An estimated $300,000 amphitheater project at the Hygienic Art Park designed by internationally known architect Jason Holtzman will make a monumental sculptural statement in the downtown by the beginning of June, say leaders of the Bank Street gallery.

The project, funded with $125,000 in state-bonded money to be matched by sponsors and individuals, will allow the Hygienic to extend the life of its current unprotected outdoor performance area to three seasons, from April to November. Currently, events have to be canceled in inclement weather, but the design by Holtzman, a one-time student at the Williams School known for his work from Shanghai to Miami, will protect both performers and audience.

"We can do more programming," said Sarah McKay, director of Hygienic Art. "We'll have the same seating, but we can do so many different types of events."

The "green" project will call for the recycling of water runoff, with a permeable turf that looks like real grass. Architectural renderings feature a 60-by-60-foot space in which prefabricated, custom-made 30-by-30-foot panels angled upward match the shape of nearby trees and reference some of the city's architectural masterpieces, such as the train station and library.

"It looks like an airplane hangar," said Vinnie Scarano, one the Hygienic's founders.

One of McKay's favorite features is an enclosed sound-tech booth. She also mentioned that projections can be angled upward toward the roof of the amphitheater so they are visible on the structure's panels.

The state has put a timeline on construction of the amphitheater of no later than July 1 to receive funding, but organizers said they plan to be ready by the second week of June — in time for the New England Foundation for the Arts conference June 8-9 hosted in the city by the Southeastern Connecticut Cultural Coalition and coinciding with the New London Brews and Blues Festival.

The festival idea was broached by local restaurateur Jack Chaplin, owner of Daddy Jack's on Bank Street, and it will feature many of the top regional blues musicians. Organizers are expecting 2,000 people will pay $30 for passes to hear blues in a variety of downtown venues, and a curated art exhibit also is being planned.

"All eyes are on New London," Scarano said.

The Kitchings Foundation already has kicked in $30,000 for the project, and this week the Hygienic is expecting to launch a $10,000 Kickstarter campaign to solicit donations from the public. The Hygienic is also seeking foundation grants and will open up the possibility of venue naming rights and banners, but it already has raised enough money to secure state funding, McKay said.

"We have about $100,000 more to go," she added.

The amphitheater project is expected to increase the number of Hygienic Art Park events held annually from 50 to about 150, McKay said, and make it more comfortable in warm weather as well as cold thanks to the structure's ability to shade audiences from the sun. She also said the ability to guarantee performances will allow the space to attract upper-level talent, including Grammy Award winners.

The project is now going out to bid, and Scarano said the Hygienic hopes to raise $400,000 for both initial construction and maintenance costs. Installation of the prefab structure is expected to begin in May and should take about two and a half weeks to complete, he said.

l.howard@theday.com