Published in the June 24 – July 9, 2015 issue of Morgan Hill Life

By Cheri Devlin

Cheri Devlin

Cheri Devlin

In the not so distant future visitors to the downtown will be greeted by another new work of public art, a gateway feature. The city’s downtown placemaking investment strategy includes the new feature likely to be located in front of the Morgan Hill Community and Cultural Center ­— and it promises to grab everyone’s attention.

Earlier this year the city released a “call for artists” for gateway art proposals. Nearly 100 artists responded, some from outside the United States. This vast field was narrowed down to fourteen finalists by a community panel made up of the Library Culture and Arts Commission, El Toro Culture and Arts Committee, Morgan Hill Downtown Association, Chamber of Commerce and city staff. Eight finalists were culled from this group of 14 by a final selection jury consisting mostly of artists and the LCAC.

What should prove to be of interest to local residents is that more than 300 responses to a city-issued community survey were also used to help in the decision-making process. The responses were varied but seemed to resonate most strongly in that the work should be timeless and help in creating a community identity.

The selection jury further narrowed the competition and finally picked a sculpture proposed by Blessing Hancock. This sculpture is made up of two gracefully twisting and bending frames of steel with bicycle wheels filling in the open space in the frames. These wheel-filled frames will be painted in a vibrant color and have LED lighting mounted in a way that will cast fascinating shadows nearby and draw people in day and night to walk around and through the work of art.

The proposed sculpture is intended to reflect the two mountain ranges that cradle us in the South Valley. The bicycle wheels filling the frames reflect the recreation opportunities that the community embraces and which draw so many from out of town to visit and enjoy our region’s bucolic beauty.

A location in front of the Community and Cultural Center will not only be a highly visible one but will also be a part of the transition from a browning lawn landscape to a drought tolerant landscape that should serve as a model to us all.

This additional piece of public art will complement the many pieces of temporary public art already showing up or planned for the downtown. Many of these pieces of temporary art are so well appreciated that they appear to be morphing into what many hope are permanent downtown icons.

City staff has applied for a matching grant that could possibly provide us with two gateway features to draw attention to the downtown.
With the public art already in place along with the temporary Bike HUB Park the downtown is starting to develop a character that shows that Morgan Hill embraces art and wants an active downtown.

Our downtown is the heart of the community where everyone can enjoy a relaxing moment, have a fine meal, and shop for something special. Out downtown is truly a special place for everyone.

Cheri Devlin is a Morgan Hill resident and president of the Morgan Hill Downtown Association Board of Directors.