City council approves art design for animal services center

The Las Cruces City Council voted unanimously at its Oct. 18 regular meeting to approve the art design concept of Italian artist Vito DiBari for “an outdoor, site-specific, public art sculpture” called “Sun Shelter” to be installed at the new Animal Services Center of the Mesilla Valley (ASCMV) that is now under construction.

With the council’s approval, the city will draft a contract with the artist to create the sculpture.

“The recommended design concept proposes a 9-foot, die-cut steel sculpture depicting a representation of a cat and dog, the primary animals cared for by the ASCMV, embellished with a silhouette of the sun and a flying bird cutout,” the City of Las Cruces said. “The (selection) committee thought the design captured the spirit of the ASCMV, giving it high scores for meeting criteria as a focal point for the new site, reflecting the City of Las Cruces, its appropriateness to the site and use,

and its fit with the landscape of the location.”

“The sculpture will be large enough to be an iconic focal point visible from multiple angles, as it is meant to be a beacon to the public,” DiBari said. “The symbolic elements – such as the sun, which is an emblem of protection that shines bright upon the animals – embody values of humane animal care and promote responsible pet ownership.”

The city said three designs were considered in the final phase of selecting a design, after a call for artists was initiated in March 2021 that was open to artists nationwide.

The art selection committee, a subcommittee appointed by the City Art Board, evaluated 139 submissions, choosing three finalists from among the responses, the city said. Finalists were asked to create a design art concept, including fabrication plan, budget and maintenance recommendations.