Arts commission approves new statues

James Coburn
The Edmond Sun

EDMOND June 26, 2009 11:26 am

— The Visual Arts Commission approved nearly $77,000 worth of public art sculpture with signage acquisitions Wednesday night.
VAC would be responsible for 50 percent or about $38,000 of the cost for the seven abstract statues. This is because all artwork approved by the Visual Arts Commission is matched by private funding, said Steve Commons, assistant city manager.
“With your total budget, you’re at 7.78 percent of the total budget expenditure authority of $559,000,” said Kelly Neal, finance officer for the City of Edmond. “That gives you a reserve for your special fund purpose of $84,711… .”
She said as of May 31, $192,000 remains from the $200,000 city match budget that has not been spent.
“That does not consider the things that have been approved by the VAC such as ‘The Dawn of Hope’ and these pieces that you have before you.”
A $5,120 metal statue titled “Table Dancer” was purchased by VAC and Citizens Bank. It will be located at the southeast corner of Main and Broadway beside Citizens Bank.
“It’s just a very abstract very contemporary piece,” said Randel Shadid, representing artist David Coddaire of Oakland, Calif. “The artist is from California and it’s a style he does. I don’t know why he called it ‘Table Dancer’ unless he sees something there he envisions.”
The piece has a nice color, form and energy, he added.
“My work is derived from the human figure, in action,” Coddaire said.
“Window to the Soul” by artist Greg Reiche of Placitas, N.M., is the most costly piece of art at $23,120. Place Properties is partnering with the City of Edmond to place this piece at a privately owned median west of Arbor Place on Kickingbird.
Other pieces of art approved by VAC include “Angles” to be placed at the Boulevard median at Hurd Street; “Endeavor” to be located at the median on Boulevard, north of Danforth; “Wheel of Time” to be at 1400 W. Covell Road in front of a dental office; “Ancient One” to be located at Boulevard median, south of Edwards; and “Straight and Narrow” to be located at Boulevard median, south of Ayers.