In the public eye

The Platte Valley Arts Council (PVAC) recently announced their plans for public art displays throughout the Platte Valley. The pieces will feature local artists and include murals and sculptures depicting local life and culture.

According to Stacy Crimmins, a PVAC board member, the public art displays will benefit the community, bringing in economic and community development.

“Residents and tourists enjoy the arts,” said Crimmins. “The public art displays will inspire those who see them and increase the Platte Valley’s reputation as an artist friendly community.”

The PVAC invited Valley artists to submit their designs to create a public art display. A small group chose six artists to develop seven public art pieces. The artists include Lori Kostur, Jerry Palen, John Perue, Sierra Smith, Jamie Waugh and Jerry Wood.

“It was important to the PVAC to highlight the local talent in our community,” Crimmins said. “We’re excited to provide these individuals a platform to show off their skills to a broad audience.”

While arguably the largest public art project undertaken by the PVAC, it is not the first. In Encampment, a project between the arts council and Encampment Preschool resulted in a scenic mural created with a variety of colored bottle caps. Meanwhile, in Saratoga, a patriotic mural was recently erected at Khe Sahn West Park between Lollypop’s and Studio T Art Gallery.

According to the press release, all six artists will be compensated for their talents and the material needed to execute and install the piece of art. Funding for the public art displays comes from grants, business partners and donations. Several locations for the art have been identified and the PVAC will explore the ease of physical access by the public, the willingness of property owners to partner with the arts council for maintenance needs and the relevance of the artwork to the location.

Once the artists have completed their pieces, a Grand Reveal Event will be hosted by the PVAC in September.

The PVAC will also design and print a brochure to highlight the new public art pieces, existing murals and other public art in the Platte Valley. The brochure will be distributed through the Saratoga/Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce, restaurants and motels, and other public locations. Photos, descriptions, artist information and a map indicating locations will be included in the brochures. 

The artwork will have permanent signage notating project donors and sponsors. In the months leading to the Grand Reveal Evant, the PVAC will featur each artis with an article and a post on its Facebook page.