Wheat Ridge Cultural Commission selects sculpture design for mayor's public art Initiative
Sculpture will soar 17 feet in the future park at 38th and Kipling
The city of Wheat Ridge mayor's office in partnership with the Cultural Commission and the Wheat Ridge Foundation began fundraising efforts to acquire public art in 2009.
Over the summer, the Cultural Commission convened an Arts Selection Committee consisting of select members of the Cultural Commission, interested citizens, representatives from the Wheat Ridge Parks and Recreation Department, an art consultant, a sculptor with extensive public art experience, and the sculptor, Kevin Robb.
The Commission selected the design for the sculpture from a wide array of sketches provided by the artist and determined the future placement of this sculpture in the future park at 38th and Kipling. The sculpture location is planned for the west side of the park.
The sculpture will soar 17 feet into the air and be constructed with stainless steel.
"The community is very excited about this sculpture," said Mayor Jerry DiTullio. "To date $10,265 in private donations has been raised and we need your support in raising additional funds."
Approximately $50,000 is needed in donations for the planned sculpture. In early 2009, Samuel, Son & Co., Inc., a local stainless steel supplier, made an in-kind donation of steel valued at $10,000 for the project. Approximately $29,735 is still needed to fund the creation of the Wheat Ridge sculpture. Citizens interested in making a tax-deductible donation to the Mayor's Art Initiative can do so by making a check payable to the Wheat Ridge Foundation. Please note "Public Art Campaign" on the check. All donations can be mailed to: Wheat Ridge Foundation, Attn: Mayor's Office, 7500 W. 29th Ave. Wheat Ridge, CO 80033.
The sculpture planned for the future park at 38th and Kipling will be a new addition to existing public art pieces in the City. In 2002, the City established the groundwork for an expanded public art program which has enabled the City to implement the acquisition of artwork for interior and exterior locations accessible to the public. To view the City's Public Art Listing, visit the Parks and Recreation Arts and Culture page on the City Website at:
www.ci.wheatridge.co.us.
The City plans to break ground on the construction of Phase One and Two of the park in late 2009. The park will be completed in three phases. Generally, Phase I will include utilities, storm drainage, site preparation, the parking lot, and interior walkways. Funding for the park construction has been leveraged through open space grant money funded by Jefferson County over a three year period. Additionally, the City received a $275,000 Joint Venture grant from Jefferson County and a $200,000 Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) grant that will benefit the park project.
About the Artist
Over the past three decades, renowned Wheat Ridge sculptor Kevin Robb has made his mark on the national and international art scene. A unique style and consummate welding quality have defined and differentiated his work. As he is sculpting, the placement of each element is an answer to a question of relationships which he discovers as the work is in progress. He becomes one with the metal and intuitively knows the precise twists and turns that will be required to achieve the desired result. Today, Kevin creates sculptures in bronze and stainless steel, magnificent works crafted by Kevin since he suffered a massive stroke in 2004. Although he has been challenged physically, Kevin continues to create the art work that he loves so much. His ideas remain free-flowing and his commitment to quality is as high as ever - with a resolve that offers a physical testament to the dedication, expertise, and amazing recovery of this remarkable artist. Visit
www.kevinrobb.com to learn more about this project.
For more information about the Mayor's Art Initiative please contact Janice Smothers, Assistant to the Mayor, at 303-235-2815 or E-mail:
jsmothers@ci.wheatridge.co.us.
For more information about the future regional park at 38th and Kipling, please contact Joyce Manwaring, Director of Parks and Recreation at 303-231-1307 or E-mail:
jmanwaring@ci.wheatridge.co.us.
For media inquiries, please contact Heather Geyer, Assistant to the City Manager, at 303-235-2826 or E-mail:
hgeyer@ci.wheatridge.co.us.
About the Wheat Ridge Cultural Commission:The Cultural Commission was created to promote culture and the arts in the City and foster cultural enrichment and education opportunities for the citizens of Wheat Ridge.
Heather Geyer, Assistant to the City Manager