10
Ten years of
public art in
Blue Springs
Ten years of public art in Blue Springs
Published by the Blue Springs Public Art Commission
in partnership with the City of Blue Springs, Mo.
Designed by City Communications
To learn more about the Blue Springs Public Art Commission,
visit www.bluespringsgov.com/publicart
Contents
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Introduction by Mayor Carson Ross
Message from Eleanor Frasier
History of the Public Art Commission
Mission Statement
Index of Public Art in Blue Springs
Importance of Public Art
About the Public Art Commission
Artist selection process
Temporary Art Exhibits
Public Art Map
Public Art Commissioners
1
Message from Mayor Carson Ross
On September 6, 2000, with the full support of Mayor Greg Grounds, City Council
unanimously approved the ordinance presented by Councilman Steve Krueger
establishing the Blue Springs Public Art Commission.
Public art adds significantly to the visual appeal and assets of the community
and helps identify it as a welcoming place for families to live, work and shop. In
addition to the artistic experience, a varied public art collection invites dialogue
about the unique identity of Blue Springs and encourages public pride in our
hometown.
The acquisition of art provides an opportunity for citizen participation and
partnership as decisions are made about the iconic artworks that are permanently
displayed in our parks, public areas, and on private property.
You might be interested to know that over the years, public art has added almost
1 million dollars in economic assets to Blue Springs. The Blue Springs Public Art
Commission has proven to be a vital and exciting part of our City’s landscape.
Just like all things, the City cannot achieve great things on our own. Community
partners have been extremely important in supporting public art projects. We
would like to extend our appreciation to Blue Springs Art League, Blue Springs
School District, Blue Springs Rotary, Blue Springs Chamber of Commerce, Truman
Heartland Community Foundation, Missouri Arts Council, St. Mary’s Medical
Center, Mid Continent Libraries, RED Development, Walmart, Wrisinger-King
Franchise Group, private Blue Springs residents and the City of Blue Springs for
funding assistance and programming involvement.
This Commission has generated a variety of work from local, regional and national
artists here in Blue Springs, each piece adding culture and aesthetic growth to our
community.
2
Message from Eleanor Frasier
The tenth anniversary of the establishment of the Blue Springs Public
Art Commission is a time to celebrate the cultural, social and economic
opportunities that art displays bring to our community. While we marvel at
the artworks that have been shown or remain in the community, we need to
recognize the individuals and groups who helped bring about the public art
program.
Start with the Blue Springs Art League which voted in 1998 to establish a Public
Artwork Advocates committee, led by members Lois Krueger and Kelli McDill.
After they initiated plans for commissioning the first major public artwork,
additional research indicated the need for City involvement and direction in
community public art projects. This led to the formation of the Blue Springs
Public Art Commission in September 2000. Lois and Kelli were charter members
of the Commission and instrumental in providing dedicated leadership during
its early years and for developing a sound foundation and strategic plan for
public art programming.
Eleanor Frasier
Chair, Public Art
Commission
Over the years, dedicated volunteer members of the Public Art Commission
have met monthly to discuss and execute plans for selecting artists to bring
their art to the community. Sometimes an artwork does not engender public
support, but nevertheless it creates interest and dialogue. When an artwork has
particular appeal, friends of public art have helped raise money to allow for its
permanent display. As a result, Blue Springs has a rich array of public artworks
from both experienced and emerging artists.
We are especially grateful for the assistance of the Department of Parks and
Recreation for helping install and maintain the artworks through the City.
I encourage you to visit the artwork in the community or view it on the City’s
website at www.bluespringsgov.com/publicart.
3
About the Public Art Commission
2006
Blue Spring
2005
Catch Me If You Can
The Child Playing Soccer
Blue Springs.Net
2002
Public Art Commission
created
2000
Adams Dairy Parkway
Art Frieze Wall
and Test Pour Section
1996
Tree in the Park
The Director of the Department
of Parks and Recreation is the
“H2OH! Waterworks of Art”
Temporary Art Exhibit
4
1985
Timeline
Blue Springs was the first City
in eastern Jackson County to
establish a public art program.
On September 6, 2000, the City
Council passed an ordinance
creating the Public Art
Commission with the mandate
to enhance the aesthetic
appearance of the community
Residents of this thriving
community have been
very supportive of cultural
activities within the school
and community. As evidence,
the 2009 Citizens Survey for
Blue Springs indicated 49% of
respondents satisfied with public
art programming.
A Mosaic Duet: Valley
View Choo & The Goose
Caboose
The work of the Commission is
carried out by a seven member
volunteer advisory board named
by the Mayor and City Council.
The Commission selects art
for public display, develops
promotional materials, and works
cooperatively with art partners in
special events in order to further
the interest of all forms of art in
the community.
City’s representative on the
Commission and is responsible
for conducting official business
with artists and the public.
Personnel of the Parks and
Recreation Department assist in
installation of art displays and art
maintenance.
2004
which would contribute to its
positive identify and image,
and make Blue Springs a more
desirable place to live, work, and
locate a business.
Public art is generally defined as
any art in the public or private
realm that is accessible without
prior permission or arrangement.
Public art is available to view
at any time without paying a
fee. Public artworks include
sculptures, murals, fountains,
structural details to a building, or
art displays in a specific locale.
“Inspired Visions”
Temporary Art Exhibit
2011
“Time in Place”
Temporary Art Exhibit
The Wall That Heals
2010
“Serendipity”
Temporary Art Exhibit
2009
“Reflections”
Temporary Art Exhibit
David Cook
Chimney Swift Tower
Project
2008
7
“Red, White and Blue
Springs for Art! “
Temporary Art Exhibit
Bikes
Chimney Swift Tower
Project
2007
Our Town
The Skateborder
Downtown Blue Springs
Chimney Swift Tower
Project
45public artworks have been displayed from
1985 to 2011
36
public artworks have been displayed as a
Result of commissioned artworks or
temporary exhibitions
24
artworks have been purchased by various
groups and gifted to the City
artworks have been purchased and placed by Private organizations, businesses or individuals
5
The mission of the Blue
Springs Public Art
Commission is to serve as
a catalyst for aesthetic
excellence in our
community and to enhance
the artistic vitality of
Blue Springs.
6
Tree in the Park
Gertie Lowe
Blue Springs, Mo.
1985
Burrus Old Mill Park
112 NW Woods Chapel Road
Tree in the Park stands in Burris Old Mill Park
and is Blue Springs’ first commissioned artwork
placed on public grounds. It was a joint project
sponsored by Art Committee of Blue Springs,
Blue Springs Park Commission,
and Blue Springs Bank.
The 7-foot sculpture, created by Blue Springs
artist Gertie Lowe, is located at the park’s
southeast pedestrian entrance facing
Walnut Street.
7
Adams Dairy
Parkway Art
Frieze Wall & Test
Pour Section
Corey Schulze
St. Louis, Mo.
1996
I-70 Underpass at Adams Dairy
Parkway and Highway 40 at 19th Street
This very visible art is located at the Adams
Dairy Parkway and Interstate 70 interchange.
When it was constructed, the City of Blue
Springs made the decision to include aesthetic
enhancements in the structure, ensuring that it
would be artistically pleasing and attractive.
Schultz utilized a reversed fractured firmformed concrete method of construction. His
design features a continuous mural spanning
the length of the bike path under the bridge
depicting people in residential backdrops and
landscapes enjoying recreational activities.
8
Catch Me If
You Can
Rosie Sandifer
Santa Fe, N.M.
2002
Home Depot at Coronado Drive and
Adams Dairy Parkway
Catch Me If You Can, a sculpture of three
children chasing each other on roller blades,
is located on the southeast corner of the
intersection of Adams Dairy Parkway and
Coronado Drive. The artwork, landscaping, and
benches were provided by Home Depot as part
of that business’ Alternate Landscape Plan.
The selection of this limited edition bronze
sculpture was guided by a desire that the art
reflect a sense of youth and community.
9
The Child
Playing Soccer
Paul E. Schock
Cape Girardeau, Mo.
2002
Sports City
425 Northeast Mock Avenue
The Child Playing Soccer is located on the
property of Sports City. It is placed in the
center of the approach circle adjacent to
the main entry of the facility. The sculpture
was provided by Sports City as a part of the
business’ Alternate Landscape Plan.
10
The Child Playing Soccer is modeled after
a young Blue Springs soccer player, John
Parmerlee, who lost his life in a tragic drowning
accident. The sculpture represents a tribute to
John and to all young athletes who are precious
to the Blue Springs community.
BlueSprings.Net
Alexander Tylevich
St. Paul, Minn.
2002
Adams Pointe Conference Center
1400 NE Coronado Drive
BlueSprings.Net is an original sculpture by artist
Alexander Tylevich. It is located on the grounds
of the Adams Pointe Conference Center on
Coronado Drive.
It is the first major work of public art
commissioned by the City. This site-specific
sculpture consists of several elements
poetically interpreting the birth, growth, and
future of Blue Springs.
BlueSprings.Net was selected for the 2002
Year in Review presentation at the National
Convention of Americans for the Arts.
11
A Mosaic Duet:
Valley View Choo
Choo & The Goose
Caboose
Art Students at Valley View
High School & Construction
Technology Students at Blue
Springs High School
2004
Rotary Park at Railroad Lake
600 NW Vesper Street
Grants from the Missouri Arts Council and Blue
Springs Community Foundation, along with
contributions by the City of Blue Springs, Blue
Springs Art League and Blue Springs Rotary
enabled the Public Art Commission to host its
first artist in residence.
12
Christine Kreamer-Schilling of Springfield, Mo.,
was the artist in residence who worked with art
students at Valley View High School and construction technology students at Blue Springs
High School to create a pair of colorful mosaic
artworks located on the hillside overlooking
Railroad Lake in Rotary Park.
Blue Spring
Brower Hatcher
Providence, R.I.
2005
Interchange of US I-70
and Highway 7
Acclaimed public artist Brower Hatcher was
commissioned to create an original sculpture
for our City as part of a federal grant for road
improvement. Located at the interchange of
Missouri Highway 7 and Interstate 70,
Blue Spring is a reference to the original spring
from which Blue Springs takes its name.
The fountain element is made of powder
coated stainless steel bar with brass hardware.
Including the earthen berm on which the
sculpture is installed, the height of the artwork
is approximately 25 feet. It is 19 feet across at
its widest point. Many believe this sculpture
could become the icon for the
City of Blue Springs.
13
The
Skateboarder
Randolph Rose Collections
Yonkers, N.Y.
2006
Burrus Old Mill Park
112 NW Woods Chapel Road
This artwork is a memorial to Luke Gundy,
a Blue Springs youth, an avid and skilled
skateboarder who died very young.
Family and friends of the youth donated the
money to purchase Randolph Rose’s
The Skateboarder which depicted the young
person’s interest in this recreational activity and
gifted it to the City in his memory.
14
OUR TOWN
Doug Bennett
& Keith Alexander
Blue Springs, Mo.
2006
10th and Main Street in
Downtown Blue Springs
The mural entitled Our Town is the work of
local artists Doug Bennett and Keith Alexander
depicting a colorful presentation of Blue
Springs history and main features.
The artwork is prominently placed so that it can
be readily seen when visiting the
historic downtown area.
15
DOWNTOWN
BLUE SPRINGS*
Creative Arts Academy
Blue Springs School District
Blue Springs, Mo.
2006
12th and Main Street
Downtown Blue Springs
*not retained
A three-panel art mural provided a variety
of images that depict life in Blue Springs as
envisioned by high school students in the
Summer Creative Arts Academy, under the
direction of art teachers Jeremy Baker and
Jevon Avery.
The art wall, provided by Dale Evans of Country
Insurance, gave the students the opportunity to
plan and execute a major visual arts project.
16
Oscar Alzante
Brooklyn, N.Y.
2006
Pink Hill Park
2715 NW Park Road
*not retained
Oscar Alzante brought his version of Corridor to
Blue Springs. Using a combination of bamboo
poles and silk fabric, Alzante created a winding
trail that simulated water flow.
The artwork was designed to allow the viewer
to enter and become one with the artwork and
to enjoy a unique environmental experience
when the wind and sunshine created shadows
and movement within the artwork.
H2OH! WaterWorks of Art had equal funding
from the City of Blue Springs, Blue Springs
Art League, Community Foundation of Blue
Springs, and Truman Heartland Community
Foundation.
“H2OH! Waterworks of Art”—Temporary Exhibit
Corridor VI
(Flow)*
17
Oh Well*
“H2OH! Waterworks of Art” — Temporary Exhibit
Robert McConaughy
18
Cincinnati, Ohio
2006
Hidden Valley Park
6500 NW Valley View Road
*retained, but later removed
Robert McConaughy found inspiration for a
playful sculpture in the image of a historical
water well. His artwork, titled Oh Well, harks
back to the role that Blue Springs had as a
water source for pioneer trails.
He created a pattern of rope and knot work
on a simple structure, offering a complex,
aesthetic experience. The form, beautiful lines,
and gentle symmetry provided a pleasant first
impression but also invited contemplation
when entering Hidden Valley Park.
Sundance
Cecilia Lueza
2006
Rotary Park at Railroad Lake
600 NW Vesper Street
The three figures which make up Sundance
are shown dancing atop Railroad Lake. Cecilia
Luenza was inspired by the meaning of the
Native American Sun Dance as she created her
own colorful version of this ancestral ceremony.
The Sun Dance shows a continuity between life
and death, and symbolizes regeneration and
rebirth.
“H2OH! Waterworks of Art”—Temporary Exhibit
St. Petersburg, Fla.
19
Tapped
“H2OH! Waterworks of Art” — Temporary Exhibit
Mark Cowardin
Baldwin City, Kan.
2006
Burrus Old Mill Park
112 NW Woods Chapel Road
Artist Mark Cowardin created Tapped, which
is located at the entrance of Burrus Old Mill
Park on Woods Chapel Road. The humorous
plumbing fixtures are meant to create an
earnest, but lighthearted conversation about
the delicate relationship between humans and
nature.
The Parks and Recreation Department
purchased this piece for the City.
20
Sleep Tight
Marie Thompson
Leavenworth, Kan.
2006
Adams Dairy Parkway
Sleep Tight by Marie Thompson is located on
the northeast corner of the intersection of
Jefferson Street and the Adams Dairy Parkway.
The art theme envisions little chimney swifts
attached securely to their saliva-mud beds
inside the tower. Since the area was once a
dairy farm, angelic cows act as guardians for
the chimney swifts.
21
We Dream of
Soaring
Sandra Van Tuyl
Kansas City, Mo.
2006
Rotary Park at Railroad Lake
600 NW Vesper Street
We Dream of Soaring by artist Sandra Van Tuyl
speaks to our hopes and aspirations. The art
that is painted on the four sides of the tower
is an abstracted vision of a building complex
opening to the vastness of the sky.
The fiberglass pieces of abstract bird-like
shapes, done in a pointillist aspect, seem to
break free and soar toward the sky. It is located
in Rotary Park, near the bridge that overlooks
Railroad Lake.
22
Bikes
Creative Arts Academy
Blue Springs School District
2007
Bike Stop
925 West 40 Highway
High school students in the Blue Springs
summer Creative Arts Academy, under the
direction of art teachers Jeremy Baker and
Jeron Avery, completed a series of three
panel mural paintings for the west side of the
building to convey the attitude of this business,
with focus on a dirt bike.
23
“Red, White and Blue Springs for Art!” — Temporary Exhibit
24
Angelic
Interlude
Shawn Morin
Bowling Green, Ohio
2007
Blue Springs City Hall
903 W. Main Street
Located inside City Hall near the entrance
of the Administrative Office Suite, this piece
consists of stacks of marble slabs with blue
paint added to highlight the artwork.
It was purchased by the Blue Springs Art
League and given to the City in memory of
Dorothy Bay, a charter member of the original
organization, Art Committee of Blue Springs.
Juniper Tangpuz
Kansas City, Mo.
2007
Blue Springs City Hall
903 W. Main Street
*not retained
The concept of American Identity involved the
challenging task of translating ideas about
human experience into visual form by allowing
for a continuous change in identity and
connection.
When the large wheel was slowly revolved,
several castings of a figure in various poses of
running were seen. The artwork was a larger
version of a heliotrope, a toy that shows action
and movement when motion occurs. This was
Juniper Tangpuz’s first public artwork.
“Red, White and Blue Springs for Art!” — Temporary Exhibit
American
Identity*
25
“Red, White and Blue Springs for Art!” — Temporary Exhibit
26
OH!
Dianne Mattern
Omaha, Neb.
2007
Blue Springs City Hall
903 W. Main Street
Located in front of City Hall, this piece has been
purchased by a group of citizens and donated
to the City.
It is a colorful, circular steel artwork consisting
of ribbons and spirals of steel powder painted
in a bright red color.
Don Lawler
Stephensport, Ky.
2007
Howard L. Brown Public Safety
Building, 1100 Smith Street
Located at the entrance of the Public Safety
Building, this sculptural interpretation of
providence features a polished limestone shell
from which sculpted currents tumble forth over
a red Missouri granite prism.
The colors of the sculpture and the strong
features emphasize the site and purpose of the
building structure.
“Red, White and Blue Springs for Art!” — Temporary Exhibit
Providence
27
Updraft
Diane Mattern
Omaha, Neb.
2007
Adams Dairy Parkway
Located near the corner of R.D. Mize Road and
the Adams Dairy Parkway is another chimney
swift artwork by Diane Mattern entitled Updraft.
The tower is enhanced with rust colored
springy steel objects that the artist calls
“boings.” Birds other than swifts enjoy resting
on the boings, creating an interesting mix of art
and habitat.
28
Pronaos
Marie Thompson
Leavenworth, Kan.
2007
Baumgardner Park
2401 NE Ashton Drive
Baumgardner Park is the location for Marie
Thompson’s second chimney swift tower.
The role of the tower for the swift’s living
and nesting purposes are emphasized by the
unique artistic enhancements attached to the
tower.
The genesis of the Greek word Pronaos is ”the
entry of a temple.” The artwork enhances the
entry to this tower.
29
David Cook
Creative Arts Academy
Blue Springs School District
2008
12th and Main Street
Downtown Blue Springs
Dave Evans of Country Insurance volunteered
the space on his building to create
a three-panel art wall that provided a visual
array about Blue Springs native, David Cook,
who was the winner of the television show
American Idol in 2008.
The Blue Springs summer Creative Art Academy
high school students were under the direction
of art teachers Jeremy Baker and Jeron Avery.
30
Convergence*
Sandra Van Tuyl
Kansas City, Mo.
2008
*not retained
Noting that Blue Springs is a place of constant
movement, change and reinvention, Van
Tuyl created a fiberglass mural that features
incidental architecture as symbols of the City.
“reflections” — Temporary Exhibit
Rotary Park at Railroad Lake
600 NW Vesper Street
Blue Springs has moved from a small town to a
bedroom community to a large civic entity, and
the art asks that the viewer think about the past
but also challenges one to consider the future.
Elements of buildings throughout the City were
the basis of the designs.
31
Draped
Cannonball*
Gary Mitchell
“reflections” — Temporary Exhibit
St. Louis, Mo.
32
2008
Rotary Park at Railroad Lake
600 NW Vesper Street
*not retained
The sculpture is a reflection of life derived from
images from western cultural history. The
figure is one commonly seen in historic art.
The sculpture is of a very light metal aluminum
shell but is designed to appear heavy to show
the nature of embodied life in this world.
Mother and
Child
Eluisa Altman
Bogota, N.J.
Mid-Continent Library Blue Springs
850 Northwest Hunter Drive
Eluisa Altman is a established sculptor from
New Jersey. She explains Mother and Child by
stating “the child is the extension of the mother
and as she starts to slip away, the mother
stretches out her arms to hold on to her.”
“reflections” — Temporary Exhibit
2008
The original sculpture is installed at the Puffin
Foundation in Teaneck, NJ. This piece was
purchased for the Blue Springs community
by the Blue Springs Art League
and private citizens.
33
WeaveThrough
Judy Bales
“reflections” — Temporary Exhibit
Fairfield, Iowa
2008
Vesper Hall
400 NW Vesper Street
Judy Bales explores the marriage of reflective
materials such as metal meshes and perforated
metals to create a feeling of movement and
flow, resulting in a serendipitous surprise and
delight for the viewer.
The work consists of an interior wall panel
located in the entry foyer of Vesper Hall and a
related exterior piece which weaves through
the building to rest on the roofline of Vesper
Hall.
34
A Bird in the
Hand is Worth
Two in the
Bush
Creative Arts Academy
Blue Springs School District
2008
Liggett Trail Education Center
3575 Southwest Liggett Road
The middle school art students in the Creative
Arts Academy, under the direction of art
teacher Libby Comfort, designed and created
the mosaic artwork that enhances the tower.
The Bird in the Hand is Worth Two in the Bush
is located near the Liggett Trail Education
Center at 3575 SW Liggett Road. The tower was
furnished by the Blue Springs School District
who co-sponsored this public art project.
35
The Sky is the
Limit
Diane Mattern
Omaha, Neb.
2008
Adams Dairy Parkway
Diane Mattern’s The Sky is the Limit, located
one-quarter mile south of Highway 40 on
Adams Dairy Parkway, is a visual interpretation
of important interaction of birds with the
environment.
While these birds soar into the sky finding
insects and providing visual enjoyment,
they must also have proper nesting place for
continued survival.
36
Crane’s Bill
Juniper Tangpuz
Kansas City, Mo.
2009
Crane’s Bill was the creative genius of Juniper
Tangpuz. In the original exhibit, there were a
pair of cranes, but the weather damaged one
crane beyond repair.
“Serendipity” — Temporary Exhibit
St. Mary’s Medical Center
201 Northwest R D Mize Road
The remaining crane is located near the
Birthing Center and provides an artistic
reference point for families using this facility.
37
From East of
Here
Karl Saliter
“Serendipity” — Temporary Exhibit
Cornwall Bridge, Conn.
38
2009
Adams Pointe Golf Clubhouse
1601 Northeast RD Mize Road
The artwork is a symbolic expression of the
eddies and watch currents of a river’s flow and
the similar relationship of the ebb and flow of
life.
The artist was inspired by living along the
Housatonic River in Connecticut and in his
words is, “from east of here.”
Mountain
Owls Clover*
Juniper Tangpuz
Kansas City, Mo.
St. Mary’s Medical Center
201 Northwest R D Mize Road
*not retained
Look closely and see the creative playfulness
of a three wise owls emerging from a planting,
watching over the nearby environment to
assure the viewer that all is well.
The concept of a bird emerging from a
clover plant results in a whimsical sculpture
particularly appropriate for the temporary
exhibit’s theme of Serendipity, which is
described as an “unexpected surprise.”
“Serendipity” — Temporary Exhibit
2009
39
Subdued
Radiance
Beth Nybeck
“Serendipity” — Temporary Exhibit
Ceder Falls, Iowa
2009
Adams Dairy Parkway
Beth Nybeck prods the viewer to identify
with a sculptural interpretation of a lion who
is awakening to a new day and challenging
the thoughts of how each day begins with
that reality. She uses abstraction of form as a
vehicle for thought, creating excitement, joy
and surprise when viewing Subdued Radiance.
The artwork is on the walking and bike trail
along Adams Dairy Parkway but also visible to
motorists who feel momentary enjoyment as
they continue toward a specific destination.
40
Tumbleweeds
Karl Saliter
Cornwall Bridge, Conn.
2009
Tumbleweeds explore solidity and motion. They
are on their way somewhere else, collecting bits
of stone on their journey.
They are easy to see through and barely
physical, yet are quite solid and heavy to the
touch. The artwork provides a visual of prairie
tumbleweeds tumbling down the bank of the
slope and greeting visitors to the
Adams Pointe Golf Course.
“Serendipity” — Temporary Exhibit
Adams Pointe Golf Club Entryway
1601 Northeast R. D. Mize Road
41
The Visit
Dutch Schulze
Bandon, Ore.
“Serendipity” — Temporary Exhibit
2009
St. Mary’s Medical Center
201 Northwest R. D. Mize Road
The artist is a native of Blue Springs and one of
the few glass artists to employ the technique
of relief sculpture. The Visit captures in backlit glass his interpretation of the visit between
Elizabeth and Mary as told in the Gospel of
Luke.
The artwork creates a feeling of compassion,
friendship and joy as expressed by the two
women and stirs introspection of similar times
of the viewer. This piece was purchased for the
Blue Springs community by the Blue Springs
Art League and private citizens.
42
Parenthesis*
Brian Zimmerman
Kansas City, Mo.
2010
*not retained
Parenthesis was designed as a way to visually
reference communication as well as continue a
time and place for people to interact within the
space provided by the artwork.
“Time in Place” — Temporary Exhibit
Pink Hill Park
2715 NW Park Drive
The base of the form doubles as seating and
serves as an intuitive invitation to sit a moment
and enjoy where and when you are, by yourself
or with a friend.
43
“Time in Place” — Temporary Exhibit
Passing
Through Time
and Place*
44
Mark LeMair
Pleasant Hope, Mo.
2010
Pink Hill Park
2715 NW Park Drive
*not retained
The three sculptures titled Passing Through Time
and Place are about a journey. The works are
intentionally placed some distance apart.
As the viewer interacts with the sculptures,
they are a sense of progression through life by
evoking different reactions to the experience
of movement between positive and negative
space. In addition to passing under or walking
around the archways, the viewer is invited to sit
and contemplate life.
Restless
Recovery
Beth Nybeck
2010
Pink Hill Park
on Veterans Way
This Beth Nybeck’s sculpture is a vehicle for
thought about the process of fulfillment and
meeting life’s challenges. Restless Recovery
encourages the viewer to consider how an
abstract form can create unique feelings and
provoke thought and interaction.
Located along Veterans Way in Pink Hill Park,
the artwork has become symbolic of the
feelings expressed by those who served their
country during war and the effects of this time
on themselves and others.
“Time in Place” — Temporary Exhibit
Cedar Falls, Iowa
45
Quasarc
Nicole Beck
Chicago, Ill.
“Time in Place” — Temporary Exhibit
2010
46
Pink Hill Park
2715 NW Park Drive
At the heart of Nicole Beck’s artwork beats the
rhythm and beauty of dynamic systems found
in nature and the sciences. The artist uses basic
geometrics to create large scale works.
Quasarc upholds the sky with a graceful arc
which is dotted with scientific magnifying
lenses that capture light, distorting and framing
the surrounding environment and providing a
snapshot of time and place.
THE WALL THAT
HEALS
Maya Ying Lin
Athens, Ohio
2010
Pink Hill Park
on Veterans Way
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National
Mall in Washington, D.C. is one of the most
visited monument art sites in the nation. It
was designed by artist Maya Ying Lin to honor
the memory and sacrifice of those who died in
the Vietnam War. In 1996, a half-scale replica
of the Wall was unveiled so that it could travel
to communities throughout the U.S., enabling
veterans and visitors to visit the Wall in their
home area.
The Public Art Commission provided significant
leadership in bringing “The Wall That Heals”
exhibition to Blue Springs from September 30
to October 3, 2010.
During the four-day exhibit period, over 50,000
people visited the Wall, the largest attendance
ever for the traveling display. Over 2000
Vietnam Veterans received a certificate of
appreciation and a special medallion designed
by Public Art Commission artists.
47
Arabian
Victoria Reed
Waverly, Iowa
“Inspired Visions” — Temporary Exhibit
2011
48
Adams Dairy Landing
Adams Dairy Parkway and
Coronado Drive
This beautiful Arabian horse stands within
the roundabout in the Adams Dairy Landing,
oblivious to traffic and the intrigue of visitors to
the site.
The larger than life aluminum horse features
decorative elements created by scroll work,
filigree parts and other textural elements.
Bag
Lois Teicher
Dearborn, Mich.
2011
What would shopping be without a shopping
bag? And that is the thought behind Lois
Teicher’s colorful sculpture entitled Bag, which
is placed on the sidewalk area in the Adams
Dairy Landing.
“Inspired Visions” — Temporary Exhibit
Adams Dairy Landing
Adams Dairy Parkway and
Coronado Drive
The artwork creates a moment of surprise
and interest for shoppers walking to their
destination.
49
Celebrate
Mark LeMair
Pleasant Hope, Mo.
“Inspired Visions” — Temporary Exhibit
2011
Adams Dairy Landing
Adams Dairy Parkway and
Coronado Drive
The three figures of colorful fabricated metal
provide a sense of joy and excitement as they
stand on large columns visible to traffic along
Adams Dairy Parkway and inside the shopping
mall lot.
The title of Celebrate uniquely describe the
antics of the figures which encourage everyone
to join in the fun.
50
Duel
Aspiration
Jake Balcolm
2011
Adams Dairy Landing
Adams Dairy Parkway and
Coronado Drive
Jake Balcolm provides a free standing sculpture
which show a large central rust colored column
surrounded by two swirling stainless steel
forms that form a tornado-like effect.
The whimsical artwork signifies the duel we
face everyday as we make life’s decisions that
affect our future and well being.
“Inspired Visions” — Temporary Exhibit
Lincoln, Neb.
51
The Importance
of Public Art in
Blue Springs
The selection, acquisition and installation
of public art, and the community
participation that accompanies
acquisition of art, contributes to the
unique identity of a city. Public art visually
contributes to the community landscape.
It offers visual appeal, civic pride,
ownership of valuable assets, and a sense
of celebration.
The number and quality of public
artworks often represent the health
and wealth of the community. A
public art program creates partnership
opportunities for residents, arts
organizations, private supporters,
community businesses, and
governmental entities to work together
to create a culturally rich community for
citizens to live, work and shop.
Thus, public art not only contributes to
a quality environment, but it also affords
opportunities for various constituencies
to come together for a common cause.
52
Public Art Commission
The Public Art Commission is a volunteer board appointed by the Mayor with
the consent of the City Council. Appointments are for three-year terms.
The Director of Blue Springs Parks and Recreation also serves on the Board as a
non-voting member and liaison to the City.
When it was established, the City Council enumerated these purposes for the
Blue Springs Public Art Commission:
•
To acquire, maintain, and display works of art at sites within the
boundaries of the City of Blue Springs
•
To determine which works of art are suitable for acquisition and display
by utilizing recognized criteria and standards
•
To select appropriate sites within the City for display of art
•
To promote the acquisition of art through private fund raising or to
receive contributions of specific art from individuals, organizations, or
businesses
•
To make loan agreements with artists, art organizations, museums or
galleries to display art for short or long terms.
Art Selection Process
The Art Commission follows Public Art Practices in selecting artists and
acquiring artworks. After making the decision to add artwork to a specific
site or to arrange for a temporary exhibit, the process of selecting the artist(s)
generally involves the following:
•
Requests for proposals are sent to artists regionally or nationally, usually
by internet or through arts organizations that hold listings of public artists
•
The requests, usually known as Call to Artists, defines the proposed art
project, the format the artist must follow to submit his/her proposal, and
requests background information about the artist (resume, images of
earlier works, other exhibitions)
•
A selection panel consisting of 3-5 persons (usually includes artists, art
professionals, architects, and community representatives), reviews the
applications and recommends several artists to continue in the process
•
Selected artists submit specific proposals for the project for review and
approval by the Public Art Commission
•
A contract which details responsibilities of Artist and Commission is
formed and signed by both parties and approved by the City Council
Temporary Art Exhibits
The process and cost of commissioning
permanent public art is often difficult for a
volunteer board. Without a permanent staff
member to assist in writing for grants and
coordinating fund raising that is generally
required for commissioning a major artwork,
local boards have increasingly turned to
temporary art exhibits.
The benefits of temporary art exhibits
include:
•
The Call to Artist process is generally
the same for large scale or temporary
exhibits except the artist response is
to loan artwork to the community for a
specific period of time
•
As such, the cost of acquiring public
art to display on a loan-basis is much
less expensive and the time and work
involved is greatly reduced when
compared to securing a permanent
artwork
•
Temporary art displays allow placement
of public artworks in various sites
throughout the community so that a
greater number of citizens are exposed
to public art in their near environment
•
For the artist, it permits an opportunity
to exhibit art with the possibility of
selling the art for its true value. It also
enables an artist to receive greater
national recognition and exposure.
53
public art index
54
ID TitleArtist
LocationStatus
Media
1
2
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
Tree in the Park
Adams Dairy Parkway Art Frieze Wall Adams Dairy Parkway Test Pour Section Catch Me If You Can
The Child Playing Soccer
BlueSprings.Net A Mosaic Duet: Valley View Choo Choo & The Goose Caboose
Blue Spring
The Skateboarder
Our Town
Downtown Blue Springs
Corridor VI (Flow)
Oh Well
Sundance
Tapped
Sleep Tight We Dream of Soaring
Bikes
Angelic Interlude
American Identity
OH!
Providence
Updraft
Pronaos David Cook
Convergence
Draped Cannonball
Mother and Child Weave-Through
A Bird in the Hand is Worth Two in the Bush The Sky is the Limit
Crane’s Bill From East of Here
Mountain Owls Clover
Subdued Radiance
Tumbleweeds The Visit
Parenthesis
Passing Through Time and Place
Restless Recovery Quasarc
The Wall That Heals
Arabian
Bag
Celebrate
Duel Aspiration
Gertie Lowe
Corey Schulze
Corey Schulze
Rosie Sandifer
Paul E. Schock
Alexander Tylevich
Christine Kreamer-Schilling
Burrus Old Mill Park
I-70 Underpass at Adams Dairy Parkway Highway 40 at 19th Street
Coronado Drive and Adams Dairy Parkway
425 Northeast Mock Avenue
1400 NE Coronado Drive
Rotary Park at Railroad Lake Existing
Existing
Existing
Existing
Existing
Existing
Existing
Sculpture
Wall
Wall
Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture
Brower Hatcher
Randolph Rose Collections
Doug Bennett & Keith Alexander
Creative Arts Academy
Oscar Alzante
Robert McConaughy
Cecilia Luenza
Mark Cowardin
Marie Thompson
Sandra Van Tuyl
Creative Arts Academy
Shawn Morin
Juniper Tangpuz
Diane Mattern
Don Lawler
Diane Mattern
Marie Thompson
Creative Arts Academy
Sandra Van Tuyl Gary Mitchell
Eluisa Altman
Judy Bales
Creative Arts Academy
Diane Mattern
Juniper Tangpuz
Karl Saliter
Juniper Tangpuz
Beth Nybeck
Karl Saliter
Dutch Schulze
Brian Zimmerman
Mark LeMair
Beth Nybeck
Nichole Beck
Maya Ying Lin
Victoria Reed
Lois Teicher
Mark LeMair
Jake Balcom
NW corner of US I-70 and Highway 7
Burrus Old Mill Park 10th and Main Street
12th and Main Street
Pink Hill Park
Hidden Valley Park
Rotary Park at Railroad Lake
Burrus Old Mill Park
Jefferson Street and Adams Dairy Parkway Rotary Park at Railroad Lake
925 W. Highway 40
903 W. Main Street
903 W. Main Street
903 W. Main Street
Howard L. Brown Public Safety Building
R.D. Mize Road and the Adams Dairy Parkway
Baumgardner Park
12th and Main Street
Rotary Park at Railroad Lake
Rotary Park at Railroad Lake
850 Northwest Hunter Drive
Vesper Hall
3575 Southwest Liggett Road
Highway 40 on Adams Dairy Parkway
St. Mary’s Medical Center 1601 Northeast RD Mize Road
St. Mary’s Medical Center Adams Dairy Parkway north of US I-70
1601 Northeast RD Mize Road
St. Mary’s Medical Center Pink Hill Park
Pink Hill Park
Pink Hill Park
Pink Hill Park
Pink Hill Park
Adams Dairy Landing
Adams Dairy Landing
Adams Dairy Landing
Adams Dairy Landing
Existing
Existing
Existing
Not Retained
Not Retained
Not Retained
Existing
Existing
Existing
Existing
Existing
Existing
Not Retained
Existing
Existing
Existing
Existing
Existing
Not Retained
Not Retained
Existing
Existing
Existing
Existing
Existing
Existing
Not Retained
Existing
Existing
Existing
Not Retained
Not Retained
Existing
Existing
Temporary Exhibit
Temporary Exhibit
Temporary Exhibit
Temporary Exhibit
Temporary Exhibit
Sculpture
Sculpture
Mural
Mural
Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture
Chimney swift
Chimney swift
Mural
Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture
Chimney swift
Chimney swift
Mural
Mural
Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture
Chimney swift
Chimney swift
Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture
Sculpture
public art map
55
Public Art Commission Members
56
2000-2001
Lois Krueger, Chair
Kent Edmondson
Eleanor Frasier
Kelli McDill
Warren Parker
Tom Williams
Jeff Wilson
2003-2004
Lois Krueger, Chair
Kent Edmondson
Eleanor Frasier
Rhonda Hughes
Kelli McDill
Warren Parker
Tom Williams
2006-2007
Lois Krueger, Chair
Jeremy Baker
Doug Bennett
Kent Edmondson
Eleanor Frasier
Kelli McDill
Tracy Strickland
2009-2010
Eleanor Frasier, Chair
Doug Bennett
Christina Clariday
Carolyn Gordanier
Amy Moyer
Jill Oswald
Lawrence Randall
2001-2002
Lois Krueger, Chair
Kent Edmondson
Eleanor Frasier
Rhonda Hughes
Kelli McDill
Warren Parker
Tom Williams
2004-2005
Lois Krueger, Chair
Kent Edmondson
Eleanor Frasier
Mark Jones
Kelli McDill
Warren Parker
Tracy Strickland
2007-2008
Eleanor Frasier, Chair
Jeremy Baker
Doug Bennett
Christina Clariday
Pat Farmer
Jill Oswald
Carol Schaefer
2010-2011
Eleanor Frasier, Chair
Christina Clariday
Carolyn Gordanier
Ramon Magee
Amy Moyer
Jill Oswald
Lawrence Randall
2002-2003
Lois Krueger, Chair
Kent Edmondson
Eleanor Frasier
Rhonda Hughes
Kelli McDill
Warren Parker
Tom Williams
2005-2006
Lois Krueger, Chair
Jeremy Baker
Doug Bennett
Kent Edmondson
Eleanor Frasier
Kelli McDill
Tracy Strickland
2008-2009
Eleanor Frasier, Chair
Doug Bennett
Christina Clariday
Carolyn Gordanier
Jill Oswald
Amy Moyer
Lawrence Randall
Blue Springs Public Art Commission
903 W. Main Street, Blue Springs, Mo. 64015
(816) 220-0110 | www.bluespringsgov.com/publicart