The Craig & Gould neighborhood will soon welcome two new, permanent residents. A life-size bronze sculpture of a cowboy and his horse will be placed in the triangular median on the southwest side of the intersection at Fifth and Gilbert streets.

Town Council approved Aug.5 the Public Art Commission to move forward in contracting with Front Range artist Craig Bergsgaard to create the piece "Cooling the Dogs" for the space.

Dix Morris, chairwoman of the Public Art Commission, said the selection process was difficult because there were several excellent entries. This piece was chosen partially because it was well suited for the triangular shape of the space. Another factor was the fact that the Western scene has historical relevance to the Town's history, and lastly, it was chosen for the cleverness of the design.

"It's amusing, it's attractive, it's beautiful," she said. "The cowboy is sitting down with his foot up in the air, shaking out his boot.... If you ever have worn boots, you know that that's how you have to do it!"

The Philip S. Miller Trust Fund is paying for more than half of the $70,000 price tag for the sculpture as well as landscaping costs. The balance will be paid in partnership of the Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce, the Douglas County Library Foundation Board and the Black Hills Gas Company.

"It's important for the public to know that no taxpayer money was used to purchase this art," said Morris.

Philip S. Miller bequeathed a portion of the proceeds of his substantial estate to the Town, and the Town Council in turn earmarks money annually for public art. The Public Art Commission recommends expenditures in keeping with a Town goal to advance Philip S. Miller's legacy by fostering a sense of community and enhancing community character.

The purchase of the sculpture supports the Public Arts Master Plan, an ongoing initiative by the Public Art Commission to place art in key areas of Castle Rock. Future art will be seen in various locations around Town.

Residents should be able to see the life-size bronze cowboy and his horse in spring 2009 when the commission expects "Cooling the Dogs" to be placed at the intersection and landscaping that complements the piece to be installed. For more information about public art in Castle Rock, click on Public Art in the left-side menu of the Town Clerk's Office page at www.CRgov.com.

Rhonda Dougherty is a Community Relations Assistant for the Town of Castle Rock.