SAGE presents growth in youth programs, public-art expansion in Sheridan

SAGE Community Arts told the City of Sheridan Council on Aug. 4 that the nonprofit is expanding youth programming and public-art displays across the city.

Jill Benson, executive director of SAGE Community Arts and director of Sheridan Public Arts, said SAGE — formerly the Sheridan Artist Guild — turned 85 this year and doubled its summer youth camps after high demand. “All the camps were full,” Benson said, and the organization added an extra camp to reduce lengthy wait lists. She said children in camps have worked on printmaking, bookmaking, science-and-art projects and tie-dye, and that the gallery offers classes ranging from beginner to master levels.

Benson also described SAGE’s Art in the Wild business-curation program and ongoing efforts to display temporary works around construction sites. “We installed the rest of the art down at Whitney Commons around the construction fences,” she said, and promoted the group’s role in the upcoming Collective Arts Festival at Whitney Commons.

The presentation noted Sheridan Public Arts manages a large outdoor sculpture collection that mixes city-owned pieces and privately owned works loaned to the city. Benson said about 105 sculptures are owned by the city and roughly 45–50 are privately owned and loaned; about six recently placed works are on short-term loan from artists. She said the city does not purchase the sculptures with tax revenue; private donations and owners account for acquisitions. Benson described maintenance arrangements and named a contracted cleaner based in Colorado that the program uses for specialized patina and conservation work.

Council members asked about curation and oversight. Council member Brands said he supports public art financially but raised a concern about avoiding “offensive” or strongly political displays funded with public resources; he added he did not want the city to “go weird with this really woke y stuff.” Benson replied that SAGE uses application and committee procedures, and that committee composition and call-for-art language reflect Sheridan’s mission and values. Council member Lumen and others defended the program, saying SAGE helps broaden the range of art available and draws visitors to Sheridan. A member identified as Chancellor praised a recent exhibition and emphasized the variety of media SAGE displays, including photography, pottery and jewelry.

Benson said the city-owned pieces are maintained as part of the public collection and that some loaned works cycle through locations to refresh downtown displays. She described ongoing work to reuse bases and reduce costs when sculptures leave or move. Questions about conservation noted at least one previously owned ceramic piece has been removed from display because Wyoming weather degraded it.

Benson closed by inviting council and the public to the Collective Arts Festival and an Oct. 9 artist event related to a recent sculpture by Monica Franciscus.

The council did not take action on the presentation; it was a community update.