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Lakewood Arts Commission asks muralists for revised concepts emphasizing symbolic diversity
Summary
At a virtual meeting, the Lakewood Arts Commission reviewed two mural proposals for a Beloved Community event at Fort Silicum Park, raised concerns about representation and timeline, and asked both artists to return with refined concepts, with staff to circulate a clarified assignment and schedule.
The Lakewood Arts Commission on Zoom reviewed two artist proposals for a Beloved Community mural at Fort Silicum Park and agreed to ask both artists to return with revised concepts that emphasize symbolic diversity, clearer installation plans and a feasible timeline.
Commissioners heard presentations from two artists selected as finalists for a planned mural tied to the MLK Beloved Community walk and ribbon cutting. Staff said the project carries a $10,000 budget and the commission asked that finished work be available by Dec. 20 if possible and that the artist be present for a Jan. 11 celebration; the schedule remained flexible.
Artist Perico described a concept featuring "two children of two different skin tones sharing an apple," garden motifs and monarch butterflies to suggest migration and community ties; he said he preferred to paint directly on the barn and estimated one to two weeks of work with an assistant. "I thought of having two children of two different skin tones to... sharing an apple," he said, explaining the idea as a simple, multigenerational image meant to speak to inclusivity.
Artist Rodney presented a concept that uses a lineup of community figures and the phrase "Beloved Community" woven into the design and earlier signal-box work. Commissioners praised the artwork's movement and use of color but several said the lineup of faces risked leaving some groups—elders, people with disabilities or some racial/ethnic communities—underrepresented. "I am offended that there were only two kinds of people" observed one commissioner during the critique, expressing a view echoed by others who urged broader, less literal approaches.
Several commissioners and committee members framed the discussion around the project brief: the mural should reflect the 20 traits associated with Beloved Community and avoid leaving people out. John Scott, invited to explain the committee's framing, said the concept is "the premise is... small circles of folks coming together to work on issues around... poverty and unhoused folks," describing the project's civic intent and the idea of community practice rather than marketing.
After extended discussion about style, scale, surface and maintenance, the commission did not select a winner. Instead members asked staff to email the artists with a clarified brief: return one (or optionally two) revised concept(s) that interpret Beloved Community with "symbolic diversity" (for example, color, hands or other motifs rather than literal, exclusive faces), show how the design would meet the minimum 10-by-30-foot requirement and explain installation/materials (panels vs. direct-to-barn), lifespan and a proposed schedule within the $10,000 budget. Commissioners also discussed the option of re-opening the call for additional submissions but largely favored giving these two finalists a chance to refine.
The commission recorded one procedural action at the start of the meeting: a motion to approve the Sept. 9 meeting minutes was moved and seconded on the record. No final artist selection vote was taken; staff will circulate the assignment and a timeline and the commission will revisit proposals in a future meeting.
