The City Park Board is generally supportive but wants more specifics about a proposed public art project.
University of Wisconsin-Platteville students would design, build and install three public art sculptures to be placed between South and Front streets.
“A central idea for the project is change over time,” senior lecturer Scott Steder said in a written proposal. “Each sculpture will include some element that changes through weather, use, natural growth or interaction. The hope is that the sculptures will encourage people to return to South Street and notice how the work develops over time.”
Steder teaches the Public Space and Art course that Bruce Howdle created. In the past, the class created sculptures, benches and murals for the campus and downtown Platteville.
“Students will work to gather information from businesses, artists and community members,” Steder said. “Final sculpture locations will be approved by the city of Mineral Point and the appropriate property owners or project partners before fabrication begins.”
The class gives students practical experience on a public art project from beginning to end. It would be done during the first semester, with installation in December. It has no cost to the city.
Steder said the project “offers a starting point for a larger sculpture walk that could continue to develop in Mineral Point over time.”
The area is not a city park, but is underused, city officials said, and the art could draw people to Commerce Street.
The board approved a bench in memory of Bert Parkos at Soldiers Memorial Park and a tree in memory of Ted Galle at the park named for his grandfather, Ted Galle.