Salida, CO – The City of Salida’s Public Art Commission (PAC) is moving forward with its first large-scale public art project, which will feature the first contemporary sculpture to be installed in Salida. The call for proposals for the project was issued in June 2023, and the selected artist, Ed Haddaway, is now working on the installation as weather conditions allow. The sculpture is titled Early Morning Walk and will be placed in a highly visible outdoor space near the Monarch Spur Trail at the entrance to the downtown business district and the Creative Arts District, adjacent to the downtown skate park and Highway 291.
This represents the PAC’s first major public art project, an important step in the city’s ongoing efforts to incorporate public art into its public spaces. The sculpture is intended to serve as a “gateway” into the downtown area, enhancing the pedestrian experience and contributing to Salida’s artistic identity. The funds for this project were allocated in the 2024 budget based on the City’s Arts and Culture Department’s 2023 creative district strategic plan. The plan called for 1% of the City’s budget to be dedicated to public art.
As budgets tighten, the City of Salida will be allocating one half percent of its budget in 2025 for public art projects. Additionally, the City has recently appointed a staff person, Tina Gramann, dedicated to managing communications for public art initiatives and calls for submissions, ensuring that the community remains informed about future opportunities.
For more information, please contact Tina Gramann at tina.gramann@cityofsalida.com.
