City of Lexington looking for permanent work of art for detention center entrance

WEKU | By John McGary

Lexington’s Public Arts Commission is looking for an artist to produce a permanent piece of art at the entrance of the Lexington Detention Center. Heather Lyons is the Director of Arts and Cultural Affairs in the Mayor’s Office. She said the 200-thousand-dollar budget comes from the city’s Percent for Art program, which sets aside one percent of capital funds for public art projects.

“What I expect it will be is a large sculptural work. We’ve given them the dimensions and photographs of the site. So they will be designing artworks that are specific for that place.”

Another 20-thousand dollars will be set aside for maintenance. Lyons said she thinks the winning bid will be a large, inspirational sculpture.

“Something that might speak to not only folks that might be incarcerated there, but families that are impacted by that, also the workers that provide services to that detention facility.”

Lyons said it should also speak to those who pass by the jail. The deadline to apply for the commission is November 8th.

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Republished with permission. Photo by Amy Wallot/LFUCG