Client: City of Moscow and Moscow Public Library

Overview

The desired outcome for this public art project is innovative one-of-a-kind work that visually activates the exterior of the City of Moscow Library and generates high visibility. The work should be of a scale and or vibrancy that achieves volume and/or verticality to assure a strong presence. Color and or playful approaches to placement are encouraged. The artwork placement should strive for visual unity between building surfaces and or building grounds. The artwork should inspire daily passersby and bicyclists, enhancing their experience of the library as a place to pause.

Process

Artist Melissa Cole was selected for this project. Cole will create a vibrant glass tile mural mosaic highlighting colorful, larger than life pollinators and native wildflowers, with rolling hills of the Palouse in the background. The mural mosaic will be located on the two walls at each end of the main Library entrance as well as the second level front plaza seating area wall. The second part of this project will include a three dimensional steel and enameled metal sculpture of a honey bee and wildflower on the right side of the entryway stairs. Melissa will work with welder Brad McDonald of 13 Crows Art LLC to fabricate the design. Melissa will incorporate brilliant enameled metal elements onto the steel sculpture. This sculpture will be installed within an underground concrete footing in the Library upper garden area.

Additional Information

As part of the creation of the new public art at the Moscow Public Library, artist Melissa Cole will offer three FREE community workshops to assist with the piece. The attendees will not leave with a finished work, but rather will be assisting with the creation of a public art piece that will be installed at the Library and unveiled in June 2018.