Council Picks McEuen Art On 4-3 Vote

It’s official. “Allium Spring Chorus” will be the sculpture at the Third Street entrance to McEuen Park after the City Council voted in a classic 4-3 split to approve it Tuesday evening. Coeur d’Alene Arts Commission member Jennifer Drake, who chaired the selection committee, and Steve Anthony, recreation director for the city, presented the council with recommendations. The piece went through a rigorous selection process that eliminated 179 other proposals, Drake told the council. “Of the four finalists, this one did have the most No. 1 votes from all the public comments, and several pages worth of people just commenting,” Drake said. “And there were a number of negative comments as well.” Councilman Mike Kennedy said he hears two major criticisms from constituents about the public art selection. The first is, ‘why isn’t the city using local artists,’ and the other is ‘why aren’t the pieces themed to reflect our history and culture’/ Jeff Selle , Coeur d’Alene Press. More here. (Coeur d’Alene Press photo: Shawn Gust)

• See: 60-second video of art chosen for McEuen Field’s 3rd Street entrance

Question: Do you think public art in Coeur d’Alene should use local artists and/or focus on the city’s history?