The creekside ambience is one reason the Wyatt family moved to Golden.
Looking at the city's statues gives Alys Moubry peace and joy.
Sandy May said she doesn't know much about art, but she does know what she likes --; and she likes the statues along Clear Creek in Golden.
"They mean so much to what the history of Golden is all about," Goldenite Tonie Mattox said. "What we have here is special."
About 20 Golden residents attended a May 5 meeting of the Public Art Commission to discuss the future of six bronze statues along Clear Creek that are not considered to be high quality art and, as such, are being considered for removal.
The statues are Bear and Two Cubs, Brother and Sister at the Rodeo, Eddie at Bat, Kids Sledding, Two Deer and Victorian Dress-Up. All are located along the creek's streamside walking path.
The Public Art Commission has deemed the six bronzes as inauthentic --; meaning they are not unique or are replicas of original art --; and/or could have been made with less-than-desirable materials, such as lead Chinese casting.
About 10 people addressed the commission during the public hearing portion of the meeting. All urged the commission to keep the statues. Many mentioned they were given to the city on good merit.
"They were meant for beauty and play," Jan Schenck said.
The seven-member Public Art Commission --; appointed by city council--;was formally established in 2013 to manage and add to the city's collection of public art, which includes many pieces that date back to the 1990s, commission member Aleah Menefee said. Members follow guidelines outlined in a handbook, available on the Public Art Commission's page of the city's website: www.cityofgolden.net.
Results of the commission's first biannual inspection of the city's public art collection were published last June.
The following comment by the commission was reported on Bear and Two Cubs, Brother and Sister at the Rodeo, Eddie at Bat, Two Deer and Victorian Dress Up: "The sculpture is of low quality, and mass-produced in China with no said artist to contact or documentation to this work. Many times these sculptures from China are illegal reproductions of original artwork."
Unfortunately, commissioner Susan DeCamp said, some of the artists don't exist. Plaques accompanying some ofthe statues have a fictitious name put on there by a foreign company that mass produces art.
A couple of people at the meeting suggested changing the plaque to reflect that the art is not authentic.
The City of Golden and the Public Art Commission will be researching more on the legality of displaying copyrighted art.
Two of the statues --; Bear and Two Cubs and Kids Sledding --; are on loan to the city, but there are no records of formal agreement that the city has been able to locate. In fact, it "may be more of a hand-shake" agreement, said Steve Glueck, Golden's community and economic development director.
In addition to the lower-quality pieces being more expensive to maintain, some may contain lead, a metal that can be toxic if ingested. However, it is unlikely that casual contact with the statues would cause any health issues, Menefee said.
But to be certain, the city will ask the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment to conduct swipe tests, Menefee said.
Although the commission can table a decision, members are planning on making a decision on the statues at its next meeting at 9 a.m. June 2 in the city council chambers, 911 10th St. in Golden. The public is welcome, and public comment will be accepted. People may also send comments and concerns to the commission by emailing Menefee at amenefee@cityofgolden.net.
Each statue will be voted on individually.
In addition to the people who attended the May 5 meeting, the commission has received about 40 emails from residents with opinions and concerns about the art. A few agree with removing the statues and would rather have high quality works of art in the city --; especially considering the caliber of art that Foothills Art Center brings to the city. But many say the statues contribute to the culture of the city and are enjoyed every day --; one refers to the statues as "old friends."
The commission appreciates hearing what the public has to say.
"If you weren't here," said commissioner Sandra Llanes, "we wouldn't have the full spectrum of what the community wants."
Commissioner Hasan Najir agreed. It makes his "heart smile" to see so many people who care about the city's public art, he said. And, he noted, the public value of the decision-making process may outweigh the authenticity of the statues.
"We're definitely going to take that into consideration," Najir said.
from Lakewood Sentinel - Latest Stories http://lakewoodsentinel.comhttp://goldentranscript.net/stories/Golden-residents-Keep-statues,213400?branding=15
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