Public Art Installations slated for 2021 lead by City Art Board

The Las Cruces City Art Board is guiding several high-profile public art projects to be completed in 2021 that will enhance the visual identity of two new facilities being built in Las Cruces and the Las Cruces City Hall lobby.

These projects are aligned with the vision of the Las Cruces Public Art (LCPA) Master Plan which promotes the link between art and quality of life.

“It’s an exciting time for public art in our community,” said Rebecca Slaughter, Deputy Director, Quality of Life Department. “The City Art Board, in collaboration with City departments, is finding opportunities to connect public art to new construction as well as to existing public spaces which not only adds to the vibrancy and beauty of the city, but also enhances the quality of life of our community.”

“We worked hard to establish a public art master plan that clearly defines the mission, vision and goals of the Las Cruces Public Art program,” said Christina Ballew, Chair, City Art Board. “Our current projects are only the beginning of our efforts to take LCPA to the next level that will help establish Las Cruces as an art destination.”

One upcoming art installation is connected to the General Obligation (GO) Bond Fire House No. 3, 201 E Picacho Ave., project. The art piece will be incorporated into the exterior of the new fire house. The public art project is currently in the artist jury selection process to choose the top scoring applicants from a pool of 107 artist entries submitted during the national call for entries. Three finalists will then be invited to present their art design for the project that will eventually become a focal point at the new fire house location.

Las Cruces City Hall, 700 N. Main St., is on track to receive a site-specific indoor art project commissioned for the central pillar in the lobby. The art piece installation, which was commissioned through the jury process in early 2020, was originally scheduled for completion in March 2021 but has been delayed due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. The project is now tentatively scheduled for completion in June 2021.

Artists will have an opportunity to submit applications for another public art project connected with the GO Bond New Animal Shelter Facility project, at the corner of Rinconada Boulevard and Bataan Memorial West. The Call for Entries will open by February 2021. Information and instructions for applying will be announced soon and will be posted on the Public Art website at www.las-cruces.org. Local artists are encouraged to submit their applications.
The City Art Board, a diverse, volunteer board appointed by the Mayor, recently added several new members. The City Art Board members are:

Christina Ballew, Board Chair
Susan Frary, Board Vice Chair
Alysa Iyana Grayson–Aulbach, Board Secretary
Saul Ramirez, Member
Chantelle Yazzie-Martin, Member
Susan McNeill, Member
Katrina Chandler, Member

In 2013, The City Council established the City Art Board to advise the Council on matters related to public art. The City Art Board works with the City’s Art Program Coordinator to support the City of Las Cruces Public Art Program which is the mechanism through which all of the City’s public art activities take place as outlined in the Public Art Master Plan.  Anyone interested in becoming a member of the City Art Board can apply at https://onboard.las-cruces.org/board/1177. The Public Art Master Plan can be found at www.las-cruces.org/2069/Public-Art-Master-Plan.

For information about the Public Art Program, contact Ceci Vasconcellos, Art Program Coordinator, at 575/541-2780 or publicart@las-cruces.org.