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Council selects four works from Juried Sculpture Project for downtown display
Summary
After a presentation of 11 available pieces, Farmington City Council voted to buy four sculptures — Warrior Protector, Little Cowboy, Maple Seed and Walking — and discussed funding and placement options.
Farmington City Council on April 8 approved the purchase of four pieces from the downtown Juried Sculpture Project, choosing works described in the presentation as Warrior Protector, Little Cowboy, Maple Seed and Walking.
Warren Unzicker presented the sculpture program and the selection of publicly displayed art available for purchase. He told the council this is the program’s third year; the council previously purchased several pieces and this year had 11 pieces available for consideration. Unzicker noted listed prices are the full price for each piece and that the city would receive a 25 percent discount if a private buyer purchased a piece; the city’s purchase price reflects the full price as shown in the agenda.
Mayor Decatur and several councilors commented on aesthetic and cultural fit. Mayor Decatur said the Warrior Protector, by a La Plata artist, appeared suited to placement near the river walk and cited what he described as cultural connections to the area. Councilor Rogers said the little cowboy and the walking sculpture appealed to him and also named the maple seed as a local favorite. Councilors discussed possible locations including the Civic Center and downtown plazas and noted funding would come from the city’s Community Transformation and Economic Diversification Fund.
Warren Unzicker provided specific prices from the agenda: Little Cowboy — $13,500; Walking — $33,975; Maple Seed — $5,250; Warrior Protector — $3,750. Councilor Rogers moved to purchase all four pieces and Councilor Giacchino seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Council members said they value visibility for the juried pieces and discussed adding signage to indicate the works are for sale to the public. Staff noted there is no dedicated sculpture budget; purchases would be funded from the Community Transformation and Economic Diversification Fund. Councilor Rogers observed the four pieces total just under $27,000 after the council’s math for the listed prices.
The purchases are subject to the city’s standard procurement and inventory procedures; staff will arrange installation locations and public-notice signage, and will follow up with placement plans and sequencing.
