Art Approved In Public Square

Nashvillians should see two new public art installations in front of the Metro Courthouse sometime next year. The projects received conditional approval today from the Metro Parks board.

The first project, designed by Nashville artist Ken Rowe, will consist of three bronze statues placed throughout the public square. But officials with the Metro Arts Commission will have to overcome a few engineering hurdles before the other project is installed. The Parks board approved it pending environmental impact studies because the scope of the piece could require the removal of trees or benches.

Vice chairman Jim Lawson also chairs the public art subcommittee. He says the plans he saw weren’t detailed enough to give the project absolute approval.

“You know I can tell you that aesthetically I think that something would look good until I actually know its height, dimension and what it’s actually going to do, you know might change my opinion.”

The piece, by North Carolina artist Thomas Sayr, would contain crane-like structures and a misting machine to emulate the Cumberland River at dusk.

Arts Commission director Norree Boyd said the two projects will be installed in nine to 16 months once the artists sign contracts.