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Artist Recommended for New Police Station Public Art (March 23, 2011) At its meeting today, the Public Art Commission of the Arts and Science Council recommended Billy Lee to be the artist for the public art that will be located at the front of the new station for the Steele Creek Division of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department. The budget for the artwork is $36,000. The artwork will be directly in front of the station at the corner of S Tryon Street and Westinghouse Boulevard, just to the left of the flagpoles in the rendering below.
Lee is a professor at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. His work is on display around the world. Artistconnect.org states "Working in stone, steel and bronze, Billy Lee is an internationally renowned sculptor bringing industrial materials to life. Creating work minimalist in style, Lee's sculpture have a anthropomorphic quality that is powerful yet subtle." Because of the amount budgeted, the piece likely will be made of steel. The backup choice is Michael Dillon from near Atlanta, who operates a blacksmith shop called Dillon Forge. His work includes Fire Bird located at Charlotte Fire Station 39. Many of his pieces include parts that are moved by the wind. The selection still must be confirmed by the Arts and Science Council, and the artist must accept the offer. The piece should reflect the character and history of Steele Creek. The artist will do research and consult with people in the community to come up with the final design. That process will occur later. Once the new police station and artwork are completed, the corner of S Tryon Street and Westinghouse Boulevard will become a distinctive focal point of the community. To read more about the selection and to comment on this story please visit the Steele Creek Forum. |
