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Resident urges restoration of Chief Black Hawk artwork, marker at Blackhawk Mini Park
Summary
Longtime resident Gary Sanders asked the Public Art Advisory Committee to reopen the search for public art honoring Chief Black Hawk and to install a marker naming the site Blackhawk Mini Park; committee members acknowledged the request and staff said neighborhood- and community-initiated projects can be considered.
Gary Sanders, a longtime Iowa City resident and volunteer, used the committee’s public-comment period to urge the city to reintroduce artwork honoring Chief Black Hawk at Blackhawk Mini Park and to install a sign marking the site’s name.
“The whole side of the Paul Helen building was a color mural of Chief Black Hawk,” Sanders said, citing a mural that was removed when the Paul Helen Building was refurbished. “I would like to see something of Chief Black Hawk, and I would like to see some marker designating it as Blackhawk Mini Park.” He told the committee he would be willing to participate if the city reopens a search for artwork or memorials.
Kilberg Riley, the city’s economic development and public art coordinator, said the city has a pathway for community-initiated public-art projects and offered to share application information with Sanders. Members also noted that neighborhood requests can be considered under existing programs; staff said they would follow up with the resident.
Sanders and other public commenters said they wanted art that is visible and educational, and they asked the commission to look for durable, public-facing options. Committee members said the request will be entered into follow-up items for staff to track.
