Laurel Street Park To Get New Sculpture

Laurel Street Park will soon be home to a new public sculpture, according to the San Carlos Arts & Culture Commission.

 "As the former chair of the General Plan Advisory Committee, I often heard from the community the importance of public art as a means of defining our city,” Vice-Mayor Andy Klein said. “It is great to see the spirit of the General Plan begin to take life in tangible projects such as this project for Laurel Street Park.”

 The commission said it has received four proposals for the sculpture after the initiative to integrate more public art into the community was created this past March.

 The funds for the project were made possible by previous donations, and a contribution to San Carlos public art from commercial land developer, John Baer, senior vice-president of The Matteson Companies, said Mary Jo Hoffman, chair of the Arts & Culture Commission.

 "I look forward to the community's response to the proposals," said Hoffman. "Each proposal has done a great job in integrating our values, but with each artist's unique interpretation. It will be hard to choose."

 The four proposals will available for public viewing at City Hall, beginning Monday, April 11 through April 18, at which time the commission will chose one sculpture to grace the downtown park at their meeting.

 The Parks & Recreation department will then have to approve the selection, followed by a final approval from the city council.

 "Art and culture is such a vital part of a robust Parks & Recreation program, and I’m very excited to feature a piece of art in one of our parks for generations of park users to enjoy,” said Parks & Recreation Director Doug Long.