The City of Salida Public Art Commission (PAC) held its monthly meeting on March 7 at the SteamPlant Annex.
Logo courtesy City of Salida
Comprised of professional artists, citizens and city staff, the seven-member commission includes: Martin Jolley (Chair), Maura Adamson (Secretary), Suzy Patterson, Reed Govert, Ken Brandon, Dania Pettus, and Carmel Burton all of whom were in attendance.
The city is represented by Michael Varnum, Arts and Culture Director, Patrick O’Brien, Arts and Culture Supervisor and Tina Gramann, Community Engagement Coordinator.
Sculpture in original Salida Skate Park nearing installation
Albuquerque, NM sculptor Ed Haddaway was chosen by the commission from 37 entries in last summer’s call for art. His piece “Early Morning Walk”, has a $60,000 commission that was allocated to purchase and install it at West First Street and the Monarch Spur Trail.
After reaching an agreement with the Parks and Recreation Department, the tall sign that marked the original Salida Skate Park at 200 West First Street has been moved across the street, (using PAC funds) making way for the sculpture’s installation. The new large, painted steel sculpture is headed to Salida and is expected to be installed at the end of March.
Salida Mosaic Artist Anne Walker presents community-driven project concepts
Members of the PAC reviewed art boards of a proposed installation slated for Chisholm Park, a small, neighborhood park located at 324 Hunt Street in Salida. This hidden gem features an elaborate children’s playground, green lawn and an indoor/outdoor pavilion. Walker presented two concepts for an installation on a long wall at the rear of the park.
One possible installation would be made of stained glass fishes, created by children and artists of all ages, with a river backdrop. The second concept involves mosaic tiles depicting a variety of indigenous mammals and other living creatures with a background of water, trees and mountains.
Commission members provided feedback and expressed a desire to move forward after seeing more details of composition and the extent of community participation in each. Toward that end, a special PAC meeting is tentatively set for March 21, with a location to be determined and details posted on the City of Salida meetings website. If everything falls into place, the proposed installation might become a part of the Salida ArtWalk festivities, now set for Oct. 11-13, 2024, with workshops held beforehand.
Citizen Comment
Local arts advocate Kat Been asked about updating gateway signs to Salida, on Hwy 291 and West Third Street as well as on the south side of U.S 50, west of G Street. She was referred to the Rotary Club and City of Salida officials for details as to who owns what sign and how to propose updates that reflect on the arts community.
The commission responded favorably to a suggestion to involve artists of all ages in a call for arts to fully “wrap” some of the large, brown rectangular city trash receptacles and/or Xcel utility boxes. The popular idea has been done many times in cities and towns of all sizes across the U.S. The goal would be to get more artists involved in public art using traditional or digital arts to transfer their creations to a full “wrapper”.
The secondary goal is to create pride of design and care for these public installations. Suggestions include cash awards for the top three and a continuing program to wrap a few boxes each season. This may also reduce the “stickering” and fresh graffiti that have steadily sprouted on these boxes.
Commission member Maura Adamson has experience with the program in the Front Range agreed to obtain names of known firms there that have done this and gather a rough idea of costs.
Upcoming events
In addition to the now year-round First Friday gallery events, Tina Gramann called out the Salida Chalk Art Festival, now set for June 29 in downtown Salida. A call for art is expected this month.
A new website “Salida Creative District – A Colorado Certified Creative District” also features listing of all local creatives as well as opportunities, events and calls for art.
Featured image: Salida SteamPlant Riverside Plaza (Annex is adjacent, at right. Merrell Bergin photo
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