Las Cruces public art installations slated for 2021

© Las Cruces Quality of Life Department
One side of the art sculpture by Debbie Dickinson coming to the lobby of Las Cruces City Hall.

LAS CRUCES – 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.

“It’s an exciting time for public art in our community,” said Rebecca Slaughter, deputy director in the city’s 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.”

Christina Ballew, chair of the City Art Board said these projects are “only the beginning” of efforts to establish Las Cruces as an art destination.

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One upcoming art installation is connected to the General Obligation 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.

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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.

For information about the Public Art Program, contact Ceci Vasconcellos, art program coordinator, at 575-541-2780 or [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Las Cruces public art installations slated for 2021