Artscape' project sculptures may become permanent

Five sculptures currently on display outside City Hall represent the start of a citywide installation of public art.

"Artscape," a project organized by the Oklahoma City Arts Commission, held its first call for sculptures in 2007 and selected a quintet of pieces to be installed outside of City Hall, 200 N. Walker, through September. The commission is trying to raise donations to match city funds to install the sculptures permanently in public areas throughout OKC.

Although many other cities, including Edmond, have programs that partner private donations with public money to install public pieces, OKC has only recently allotted the commission the funding to focus on actively acquiring art.

"The Oklahoma City Arts Commission was created to assist the City Council in identifying works of art and bringing them to the city," said Teresa Cooper, chair of the commission. "We are really hoping to do some nice things for the city and present some visual art in public places where the community can enjoy it."

FIVE SCULPTURES
The five sculptures include two by Oklahoma City artist Joe Slack, two by Colorado artist Kevin Robb and one by New Mexico artist Destiny Allison. Private donations have already helped fund one of the sculptures, and funding for another is in the process of being acquired, Cooper said. The commission also plans to purchase at least one of the statues itself.

"We're going to make sure that these pieces stay here, because people really like them," said commission member Jackie Jones.

"?Allison Meier

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