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Commission recommends Kayla Newnham's "Echo" mural for Buffalo Park water tank
Summary
The Beautification and Public Art Commission voted to recommend Kayla Newnham's "Echo" for the Buffalo Park water tank, citing community survey input and the artist's integration of seasons, wildlife and sensory storytelling. The recommendation will go to City Council at a Sept. 8 work session.
The Beautification and Public Art Commission recommended Kayla Newnham's mural "Echo" for placement on the Buffalo Park water tank after reviewing selection-panel scores and community input at its July 13 meeting.
Staff presented Phase 2 of the Buffalo Park mural project, describing a site visit, a public survey and the panel's evaluation method. Staff said the panel scored proposals on originality (up to 40 points), site fit and community integration (up to 35 points) and budget and installation feasibility (up to 25 points). The final panel scores announced at the meeting gave Newnham 96.14 points and the next-highest score, Isaac Caruso, 89.57.
"We asked Flagstaff residents what makes Buffalo Park special," staff member Alisa told commissioners, summarizing the community survey that influenced the recommended design. "Seventy-seven percent of respondents highlighted local plants, animals, nature and dark skies. The artist translated those responses into a sensory-story framework that runs through the mural's seasonal vignettes."
Commissioners and panelists praised the selection process and the recommended design. Commissioner McGrath said the top proposals demonstrated strong local and regional talent and noted that Newnham struck a balance between bold color and restraint that would not overpower the park. Commissioner McCourt raised detailed questions about plant and animal depictions, asking whether white flowers in the design were datura or bindweed and whether a vignette depicting dead pine trees might be interpreted negatively; panelists said those questions and other comments would be forwarded to the artist for consideration.
Staff outlined the anticipated schedule for the chosen artist: a City Council work session is scheduled for Sept. 8, an anticipated contract award by Nov. 1, notice to proceed by Dec. 1, and a project completion target of Nov. 30, 2027. Staff also reviewed the artist's proposed budget, installation methods and site-preparation plan, and said the selection panel found the proposal feasible.
A commissioner moved to recommend "Echo" by Kayla Newnham to City Council; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Staff said it will bundle commissioner questions and comments and provide them to the artist for any voluntary revisions ahead of the Council work session.
The commission's recommendation now goes to the City Council work session on Sept. 8, when the council is expected to consider the artist award and contract timeline.
