Four Corners Public Art Survey

Posted: 12/3/2020 1:47:25 PM

The City of Coeur d’Alene Arts Commission issued a Call to Artists for new public art to be located in the “Four Corners” area, at the southwest corner of Northwest Boulevard and Fort Grounds Drive, near the Human Rights Education Institute, Memorial Field, and the Carousel. 

Artists were asked to consider the following in creating their proposals: 

  • The artwork should provide a welcome to the neighborhood and the City;
  • The artwork should affirm the following:
    • The long-standing commitment of our community to the equality of all people, to human rights, and to social and economic justice for all;
    • The dignity and worth of every individual;
    • The benefits of coming together as a community and human race;
    • Respect for diversity;
    • The universal bond of sharing that connects all humanity;
    • The value of interconnections in creating a strong and more peaceful society; and
    • The community’s commitment to eliminating racism.

Five artist finalists were selected to prepare scaled models (maquettes) of their proposal, along with an Artist Statement explaining the concept behind the proposal.  A total of six (6) maquettes were received (one artist submitted two proposals).  PLEASE NOTE:  The  maquettes are only a general representation of the proposed artwork and do not necessarily reflect the materials used or the high quality of the finished product.

You are encouraged to review the Artist Statements and maquette photos provided, and to click on the link provided at the bottom of this page which will open a very short survey, where you can choose your favorite proposal.  Comments are also welcome.  The selection committee will consider public preference and other criteria when making their final decision regarding the artwork.  

Thank you for your interest in public art in the City of Coeur d'Alene!


“WE HAVE A DREAM”
Bronze Sculpture
Dimensions:  Approx. 12 Feet High, including 2 Foot Concrete Base

 

 

Artist Statement SUMMARY:  “Prophecies given to Chief Circling Raven from the Great Spirit, via the ravens, remain relevant in today’s times . . . these prophecies gave words of peace and hope.

Anne Frank’s dream was not just for personal freedom, but also for a life without racial persecution . . .

MLK Jr. fought for a future of racial equality, and he did so with his uncompromising faith in God and his community . . .

On December 1, 1955, Rosa Parks peacefully, yet forcefully, showed the world that a future of racial equality was not just a dream, but an attainable reality. 

Ruth Bader Ginsburg dreamed of a day where gender equality, women’s interests and civil rights were no longer issues that needed to be debated.

Dina Tanners, Tony Stewart, Marshall Mend, and Father Bill Wassmuth are just a few of our local citizens that dreamed of a day where hate crimes would be replaced by the equality of all people, human rights, and social and economic justice for all (Kootenai County Task Force on Human Relations).

Let us remember the wisdom of Chief Circling Raven, the bravery of Anne Frank, the dreams of MLK Jr. and Rosa Parks.  The perseverance of Dina Tanners, Tony Stewart, Father Bill Wassmuth and Marshall Mend allows us to make our community reflect the universal bond of sharing that connects all humanity.”

CLICK HERE to view the Artist Statement in its entirety.

CLICK HERE to view examples of the artist’s previous public art projects.

 


 
“COME AS YOU ARE”
Steel with Powder Coat
Dimensions:  Approx. 25 Feet x 25 Feet
 




Artist Statement SUMMARY: 
[The artwork is] . . . “intended to be a communal welcome to ALL residents and visitors of Coeur d’Alene who pass by this active thoroughfare. 

Six larger-than-life stylized human figures come together in community around a large table-like boulder.  We use the concept of people coming together as a nod to the Coeur d’Alene Tribe and their history of fathering with other regional tribes in this area, which they sometimes dubbed “The Gathering Place.”

It was important for us to convey DIVERSITY through these sculptural figures.  We started with a mix of genders.  Then we designed the figures using a variety of body shapes, ages, colors, unique offerings.  Equally as important as expressing DIVERSITY is affirming the spirit of ACCEPTANCE & INCLUSION of these differences.” 

CLICK HERE to view the Artist Statement in its entirety.

CLICK HERE to view examples of the artist’s previous public art projects.

 


 

“TOGETHER”
Stainless Steel
Dimensions:  3-5 Feet High x 10-14 Feet Around

 

 

Artist Statement SUMMARY:  “I set out to develop a sculpture that accomplishes as many themes as possible without being literal. ‘Together” does just that with its many shapes and sized Happy Humans lifting up, interacting, playing, connecting and supporting each other to show the benefits of people coming together to create something bigger than self.  This larger-than-life sculpture reflects a truly supportive community.  Complete with the child-sized Happy Human kinetic form on the top always in motion keeping life exciting.  The circular sculpture also speaks to the native history of the area by showing happy humans in a Gathering place.” 

CLICK HERE to view the Artist Statement in its entirety.

CLICK HERE to view examples of the Artist’s previous public art projects.

 


 

“CONNECTED”
Stainless Steel, Polymer Epoxy Finish
Approximately 20-30 Feet Tall

 

Artist Statement SUMMARY:  “The forests, the lakes, the landscape and the Mountains are many of the reasons people come to the area, community is why they stay.  Communities are similar to nature, are healthier the more diverse they are.  A healthy forest has a variety of trees all with different colors, different leaves, bark or even different needles.  A healthy community is also made up of a variety of people all helping, respecting and supporting each other.  “Connected” brings all these elements together to connect people to place and highlights what a beautiful town Coeur d’Alene truly is and strives to be.  To complete “Connected” I have added color kinetic elements to highlight the social justice work and the values and vision of the community.”

CLICK HERE to view the Artist Statement in its entirety.

CLICK HERE to view examples of the Artist’s previous public art projects.

 


 

“SPIRIT OF COEUR D’ALENE”
Bronze Statue
6 Feet Tall x 40 Inches Wide x 20 Inches Deep

 

 

Artist Statement SUMMARY:  “I feel that education, the arts and our rich cultural heritage are always the best pathways to our future and the things we need to instill an appreciation for in our children.  . . . I would like this statue to represent that which we value and honor and wish to take forward with us into the years to come.  I feel that they are what truly break down the barriers between races and people of different beliefs and backgrounds.

In ancient Greece, cities would often erect a statue of the goddess, Tyche.  She represented the spirit of a city and was considered responsible for good fortune and prosperity.  The Romans called her Fortuna.  I would like to continue this ancient tradition into the present with a representative statue of the Spirit of Coeur d’Alene, an upright female person of indeterminate race, surrounded by four children, each of a different ethnicity, each involved in some way in the arts and learning.  There would be two boys and two girls.  . . .”

CLICK HERE to view the Artist Statement in its entirety.

CLICK HERE to view examples of the Artist’s past public art projects.

 


"THE MONUMENT OF PEACE AND UNITY"
Plasma Cut Heavy Steel Plate

Dimensions:  Approximately 10 Feet around, 24 Feet High





Artist Statement SUMMARY:  "A tower monument . . . depicting human figures and ascending flights of doves in positive and negative mass (shadow and light), [standing] as light of humanity transforming us and transcending our boundaries, as becon of human united us in peace.  . . . Of high visibility, this work's scale is to be approximately 24 feet in height.  It will be a landmark at a major entry into the City; it will reflect the City's long-standing commitment to human rights and human dignity.  This symbol of unity and peace rises from the two majestic rivers of Coeur d'Alene and symbolizes the embrace of inclusiveness and equality.  Celebrating the beauty of diversity and the spirit of Coeur d'Alene people.  The two flights of ascending birds entwine and spiral upwards giving emphasis to two powerful phrases:  'We support the self-evident truth that all persons are created equal,' and 'We believe that the dignity of each Human Being is inviolable.'"

CLICK HERE to view the Artist Statement in its entirety.

CLICK HERE to view examples of the Artist's past public works projects.




 

Please CLICK HERE to be directed to the Survey where you can vote for your favorite art piece and leave public comment.