We look forward to a grand opening in spring!
At Flagstaff Pulliam Airport, along the sidewalk connecting the new parking lot and the terminal, is one of the two public art projects completing in late spring. The Coconino Scroll, the art concept designed by the artist team of Pete Goldlust and Melanie Germond is a highly ornamented decorative steel fence embedded with stained glass accent elements, composed of images that celebrate the history, environment and culture of Flagstaff and its surroundings. The colored glass elements refract sunlight in shifting ways, based on changing conditions throughout the day and season. The accompanying 25 bronze medallion plaques, subtitled “Footnotes,” are embedded within the sidewalk adjacent to the fence and provide brief informational text about some of the fence section’s images and stories.
The other major public art installation near completion is at the Flagstaff City-Coconino County Library as part of the new entryway now under construction. With the redesign of the entry plaza to come into compliance with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards, an opportunity became available to re-envision the entire outdoor entry of the downtown public library, a community focus for Flagstaff. Focus groups of community members, the Commission on Inclusion and Adaptive Living, and the Beautification and Public Art Commission (BPAC) gave input into the wide-ranging elements of the project. The artist, Maria Salenger of Jones Studio, in addition to creating the artwork, contributed to the overall design as well. The resulting entryway includes landscaping, a ramp design that is universally inclusive, a donor recognition opportunity integrated into the art design, a front porch for outdoor seating, and an exhibition space for temporary art. The main artwork, titled Touch home, reach sky, consists of 45 sculptural colorfully painted steel books that lead visitors to the front doors and surround the front porch. Patterns of plants, rail ties, local architectural features, and stars grace the “book covers” and the sculptures have lighting within to create a luminaria-lantern effect at night. We look forward to a grand opening in spring!
A new position was added to the beautification team to expand capacity for more beautification projects like the flowers and pollinator gardens in the historic downtown, Southside and Sunnyside, as well as maintenance for existing public art. The program continues its partnership with Creative Flagstaff to support the arts and sciences non-profit sector with operating and project grants totaling $400,000. FBN
By Jana Weldon
Jana Weldon is the beautification, arts and sciences manager for the City of Flagstaff.
Courtesy Photo: Artistically designed steel books, which create a luminaria-lantern effect at night, lead visitors to the front doors of the downtown library.
