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Avon council debates Civic Center mural and sculpture designs
Summary
Councilors gave mixed feedback on two proposed Civic Center mural concepts and an accompanying 'Avon' sculpture: many favored a narrative mural tying local imagery together but asked for revisions to scale and visibility; councilors and staff discussed lighting, materials, cost ($30,000 per mural installation), and timing for a sculpture decision.
Staff presented two mural concepts and a proposed plaza sculpture for the new Civic Center and asked councilors for feedback. Option 1 is a narrative design that incorporates local elements—music, the town’s Tree City USA identity, lake and parks imagery, blue herons, the haunted bridge and trails—intended to tell a story about Avon. Option 2 is a more abstract rendering with stronger color pop from distance but fewer literal ties to community elements. Staff also presented a sculpture concept that spells 'Avon' in letters intended for the plaza.
Council feedback was mixed. Multiple councilors said they preferred the storytelling approach but asked for better visual coherence (less caricature, improved contrast for the Avon sculpture) and inclusion of elements some felt were missing (sports references were repeatedly raised). One councilor suggested the mural might be perceived as dated and proposed options for changing artwork on a multi-year cycle; staff said a replacement could run about $30,000 and that the town could change murals every five or more years if budget allowed.
Sightlines and lighting: Councilors discussed how the mural will be experienced from the lobby and from US 36 and asked for renderings showing both daytime and nighttime views and what the sculpture looks like in situ. Staff noted the mural extends to the floor level in the lobby and the sculpture will be ground-lit, elevated in a planted bed to avoid obstructing the mural image.
Next steps: Staff will refine designs based on council feedback, consider alternate signage and scale options for the Avon sculpture, and return with revised renderings. Because the plaza construction timeline requires earlier sculpture direction, staff asked councilors for relatively prompt guidance on the sculpture option.
