Public Art: Do You Know It When You See It?

From a News Release:

A Waukee community arts consortium has brought forth the concept of constructing a significant public art installation at the city’s Raccoon River Valley Trail Head.

The first public meeting to inform and to gather input from the community concerning the project will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, April 24, at the Waukee Community Schools Administrative Building, 560 S.E. University Ave.

“We hope that everyone will join us for this brainstorming session to gather information toward the creation of this art work,” said Jim Miller, Public Art Committee chairman, in a news release. “It is envisioned to be iconic in nature and a highly visible symbol of the current and future Waukee community.”

The trail head is located at the intersection of Hickman Road and County Hwy. R22. The City of Waukee has approved moving ahead with the planning and design phase for this project and has retained RDG Planning & Design, and their principal David Dahlquist, of Des Moines, to lead this first phase of the project.

RDG, in conjunction with the Waukee Area Arts Council, will host the first of a series of public meetings on Wednesday to gain community input and feedback for this design phase of the project. Anyone with ideas or just an interest in this public art project is encouraged to attend and participate in this meeting, Miller said.  

It is expected that funding for this project will be substantially provided through grants and by corporate and private donations. The completed art installation will be owned and maintained by the City.