Client: Colorado Creative Industries

Overview

Fifteen sculptures featuring colorful ceramic relief work line the garden paths of the Grand Junction Regional Center Group Homes in Grand Junction, Colorado. Commissioned by the State of Colorado, the artwork was designed to be especially appealing and engaging for the special needs residents of the Group Homes. The ceramic designs are held in 14” diameter steel circles, that can be interacted with using eyes and hands. Plasma-cut steel flower and leaf forms adorning the sculptures invite further investigation. The sculptures are placed at distributed locations along the four garden pathways of the Group Homes, lending a sense of place to different areas in the garden. Additionally, seven of the fifteen pieces are mounted on bearings, allowing the artworks to be rotated by the residents.

Thematically, the sculptures draw attention to and invite appreciation for the diverse variety of wild mammals, birds, insects, reptiles, amphibians, and plants that grace the Grand Valley and Grand Mesa regions surrounding Grand Junction. These creatures and plants are found in a variety of habitats at various elevations in the area. Ideally, these artwork representations will stimulate awareness, curiosity, and fondness in the Group Home residents for the natural life surrounding them.

Goals

"The Art Selection Committee is looking to commission an artwork to be located on the exterior of the two new group homes, to be located near or along the planned nature walking trails on the site. Artworks should create a sense of place and respite and could possibly be integrated into the landscape. A series of dispersed artworks along the walking path(s) is preferred to a single artwork. Many of the residents have specific sensory needs, so artworks that are tactile, interactive, or kinetic would be particularly successful for the residents."