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Public Art Commission approves permanent installation of Lyric sculpture
Summary
The Public Art Commission approved $5,939.99 to permanently install a 15-foot, student-designed rolled-steel sculpture at the Lyric, after hearing from Christian Adair about site work, lighting and a student stipend. The vote was taken by voice; exact counts were not recorded.
The Lexington City Public Art Commission voted to approve funding to permanently install a 15-foot rolled-steel sculpture outside the Lyric.
Christian Adair presented the request, saying the piece began as a student-designed temporary work that has drawn strong neighborhood support and cultural resonance. "We paid the young lady $5,000 for the piece," Adair said, noting the student will be able to include the work on her resume. He described a kente-patterned steel form that would be illuminated from inside and would require new below‑frost‑line footings.
The commission’s discussion centered on installation logistics and the updated budget. Adair told the commission the updated total is $5,939.99, with a rough breakdown of $3,500 for the concrete slab, $1,960 for electrical installation, $196 for a plaque and about $283 for materials. A commissioner asked whether the existing pad provided by the city was sufficient; Adair said the current above‑ground pad must be removed and a new foundation poured below the frost line.
Committee member (speaker 2) moved to approve funding for the permanent installation, a motion seconded by Committee member (speaker 3). The commission took a voice vote; commissioners responded in the affirmative and the Chair declared the motion carried. The meeting record does not include a roll‑call tally; the outcome was recorded as approved by voice vote.
After the vote, Adair invited commissioners to the Diversity Festival on May 23 and described the sculpture’s sight lines at the Robert S. Stevens courthouse plaza. Commission members congratulated the Lyric team and noted the installation is expected to take a day for removal and re-setting once the foundation work is complete.
Next steps: staff will finalize procurement and scheduling for the footing work and lighting, and coordinate permits and any required city property approvals before installation.
