The Laramie Public Art Coalition (LPAC) has brought art from artists across the nation for art in the Snowy Range Rotating Sculpture Program.
“Our main focus is we help the community through administering public art projects for Laramie and Albany County. We are hoping to enhance the cultural vitality and vibrancy of our community through art in public places,” said Laura McDermit, the executive director of LPAC.
Two sculptures have been installed on Snowy Range Road. One is the stainless steel piece “Taking Flight” by Clifton Cox.
Cox said his sculpture is inspired by his fascination with birds and eagles in Native American beliefs.
Cox told the story that eagles can fly high enough to get out of sight. This led Native Americans to believe that eagles could pick up prayers from the people and then take them up to the heavens.
“So it’s a transfer of your prayers and your energy to the heavens, to your god, to the creator of the universe,” Cox said.
Cox said he works in abstract so that anyone can interpret his piece to their own narrative.
“Through abstraction I’m able to put in all the emotions that are going on in that time of my life, all of the thoughts and things I’m dealing with, all the love, all the energy, and it comes out and it offers unlimited narrative for everyone.
“I want them to walk up to that piece without knowing anything about it and derive their own interpretation of what’s going on. That is more important to me as the artist,” Cox said.
Cox also has public art installations in Jackson, Mississippi, Solsberry, Mississippi, and in his hometown Lexington, Kentucky.
The other piece is located off of Clark and Snowy Range. “Exhaling Dissolution” by Sarah Deppe is a sculpture of a head made out of cottonwood bark. The piece was installed on April 19.
“This work, a human head is no one in particular, just representing humanity as a whole. It’s made of cottonwood bark. The idea is that the bark will return to nature, kinda that full cycle. It’s mouth is open as if it’s speaking or breathing or exhaling and engaging in conversation.
“The main focus is to initiate these conversations about social issues such as the environment and to give a voice to nature. I really like how the material will dissolve and will return to earth and then connect further with nature and one with the idea of the life cycle,” Deppe said.
Deppe collected the bark after a big storm. Then she would attach the wire framework over the armitature that made up the head.
“I just gathered that material,” Deppe said. “And then pieced it together it was like a puzzle.”
Deppe said she doesn’t have a preferred medium, but enjoys unconventional materials. She originally started her art education with drawing.
“Then I just started making sculpture and I was really fascinated by making something look different three dimensionally, so from different angles I could do different things. Movement, textures, I was really intrigued by that,” Deppe said.
Deppe currently has four permanent installations and three temporary public art installations across the nation.
LPAC set up a committee to decide what art gets put up in Laramie. Public feedback is also taken into consideration.
The committee for the Snowy Range Rotating Sculpture Program chose the two sculptures from 78 submissions.
Another committee is choosing an art piece for the front desk at the Albany County Courthouse entrance.
“Currently where that project is it’s been narrowed down to four finalists and those four finalists are preparing a proposal they’ll present in the summertime to the committee and then the select committee will present their pick for an artist to the Albany County Commissioners,” McDermit said.
There is also a call for submissions for Hello Neighbor. This temporary exhibition will also be at the courthouse entrance. Submissions are accepted from artists who live within 50 miles of Laramie.
The Recreation Center is also working with LPAC to get an art piece for the renovated front desk.
“Artwork at its best can inspire and spark a lot of dialogue and conversation. You may not like it, you may have a reaction like that, and it’s okay. It’s important to talk about it,” McDermit said.
Cox said he thinks that public art is important.
“Art that is in public spaces is unavoidable. You have to deal with them, you have to see them, you have to walk around them, you have to drive by them. It gives everyone the opportunity to see this, have it a part of their life, think a different way,” Cox said.
Deppe said art that is in public spaces can be conversation starters.
“A lot of people don’t go to galleries, they don’t go to museums necessarily. It’s an opportunity to have everyone engaged with the artwork, have everyone see it. You get a lot of different feedback and a lot of different opinions. Sometimes it’s fun and sometimes it’s controversial, but I think it’s great that everyone starts talking about art in general,” Deppe said.
Cox started his art career as an undergrad.
“When I first started in art school I was the type of person who was more architectural in the way I drew. I was really tight with my drawings, real precise, real measured.
“When I got into art school they told me, ‘Dude you need to loosen up.’ And so when I started to do that I started to go in the opposite direction of where I was and really just loosened up to the idea of abstraction,” Cox said.
In undergraduate school Cox was introduced to metals.
“Stainless steel is my favorite. I also work with bronze and mild steel, but I prefer stainless not just because of the integrity of the material but also how much it reflects light and energy,” Cox said.
Cox said it is okay if art is not a career for everyone interested in making art.
“It’s okay if it’s a hobby, you’ve got to take on a position somewhere else to make money because that’s reality. Just make sure that you’re giving yourself that time to create,” Cox said. “Every time you make something, create like it’s the last you’re going to create. I believe that if you love art and make art that it will happen for you.”
