Larimer News

The recent Art in Public Places (APP) project Pollinator Salad Days was created with a collaboration between APP, Stormwater Utilities, Artist Lisa Cameron Russell, and Polaris Expeditionary Learning School. This corten steel sculpture is a focal point of recent improvements to the Glenmoor Storm Water Detention Pond site at Taft Hill Rd. and Glenmoor Dr. The artwork stretches the length of the existing metal fence at Glenmoor Pond, creating a focal point for both pedestrians and motorists.

The APP Project Team worked with local artist Lisa Cameron Russell and students at nearby Polaris to create the concept for art at the site. Using students’ drawings of various pollinators, Lisa Cameron Russell designed and fabricated a weathered corten steel sculpture of “pollinator” themed elements that she attached to an existing railing at the site. The artist and the APP staff completed extensive outreach with hands-on activities with Polaris elementary art students. Lisa introduced them to public art, taught them about its purpose and process, and then engaged them in this real-time, pollinator-themed project. Complementary whimsical floral imagery by the artist was added to complete the composition.

After the installation of Pollinator Salad Days, the Project Team returned to Polaris Expeditionary Learning School to present the completed project to the students and teachers and to celebrate the installed artwork the students helped create. The Project Team, artist, teachers, and students enjoyed a walk to the site for a celebratory ribbon cutting. The students were able to see the progression of the project, from concept to installation and to recognize their own artistic contributions to the installed artwork.

APP will continue working with Stormwater Utilities Project Team to develop educational signage for this site.

Original source can be found here