An art consultant orated in front of the Laramie City Council on Tuesday to showcase public art possibilities in Laramie.
Renee Piechocki, art consultant for the Laramie Public Art Plan, discussed what could be done to spaces in Laramie such as Optimist Park—which could be used as a film screening space—or downtown alleys—a possible space for a temporary outdoor marketplace. She said even an old abandoned train car could be used for a concert stage. The consultant said public involvement is crucial to the success of the plan.
“It’s unrealistic to expect an all volunteer committee to do all this work, to coordinate people,” Piechocki said, “engaging the community is one of the most important steps when it comes to implementation.”
Vicki Henry, ward one representative, said the council hired the consultant because the council did not know what to do with art that was donated by the public. She said she hopes the gateways to the city will be improved aesthetically through the plan.
“What impressed me the most was that the public could participate in a lot of these projects,” Henry said.
She said Laramie gets visitors often, between parents visiting their children in school and tourists. Henry said having destination art implemented through the project could even help Laramie economically.
Andrea Summerville, ward 1 representative, said the examples shown were strong encouragements for public art. The councilor said there are many places in Laramie that could use the aesthetic improvements the art plan could bring.
“It has been well proven that community art is an asset to a community,” Summerville said. “It’s an economic development tool, it improves the quality of life, helps retain residents and it just improves the community.”
She also said implementing community art is not as simple as it seems. Summerville said the council hired Piechocki to create a structure that makes implementing community art easier.
The consultant is to return to a city council work session on May 27.
