Title
Approval of Recommendation from the Art in Public Places Board for Approval of the Acquisition and Installation of “Raven Dialog, Friendly Advice” at the Los Alamos Nature Center Using Art in Public Places Funds in an Amount Not to Exceed $15,000
Recommended Action
I move that Council approve the acquisition of the small, bronze sculpture “Raven Dialog, Friendly Advice” by Star York, to be installed at the Los Alamos Nature Center and included in the Los Alamos County Art Collection, and authorize the expenditure of Art in Public Places funds in an amount not to exceed $15,000, which includes the sculpture purchase, installation, related expenses, GRT, and contingency.
County Manager's Recommendation
The County Manager recommends that Council approve the motion as presented.
Board, Commission or Committee Recommendation
The Art in Public Places Board recommends that County Council approve the purchase of “Raven Dialog, Friendly Advice”, a small bronze sculpture by artist Star York, to be installed outside of the front entrance of the nature center for a not-to-exceed price of $10,000 plus an additional $5,000 for installation and other miscellaneous costs for a total not-to-exceed cost of $15,000.
Body
This public art project originated from a presentation by Chick Keller, a founding member of PEEC, at the December 29, 2024 APPB meeting to request a sculpture to be purchased by APPB for the Nature Center. He envisioned a sculpture at the entrance of the Los Alamos Nature Center that would more clearly reflect its natural setting, ideally one that featured birds, in keeping with the meaning of “Pajarito” (“little bird” in Spanish). His goal was to enhance the center’s front entry with artwork that connected visitors more directly to themes of nature and wildlife. Once other PEEC board members embraced the idea, they recognized that the acquisition of such a sculpture could also serve as a meaningful way to mark PEEC’s 25th anniversary, aligning the i...
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