The Bernalillo County Public Art Program is adding to its collection of public works of art to celebrate 30 years of creativity.
One new piece is a yet-to-be-completed mosaic outside the South Valley Pool and Splash Pad on Isleta Boulevard, according to KRQE. It will feature scenes of New Mexico wildlife upon its completion in December.
"We also added about eight sculptures to our collection at another sculpture gallery at Bernalillo County at Alvarado Square, and we're adding two-dimensional pieces every six months or so," Kent Swanson, Public Art Program coordinator for Bernalillo County, said. "We've added about 30 over the last couple of years to our collection."
A large mural at Alvarado Square on Silver Avenue is constructed of hundreds of pieces of small-cut glass, KRQE reported. The mural details Bernalillo County vistas and skies.
More than 500 public works of art are featured in or outside of buildings in Bernalillo County, according to KRQE. The Bernalillo County Public Art Program, founded in 1992, is responsible for the works. The new pieces are funded by the so-called 1% for Art Ordinance. It allows the county to dedicate money from general obligation bonds for public art.
"It's a great opportunity to share arts with the community," Swanson said. "It's kind of like bringing the world of art to the public and public spaces versus a museum or a gallery."
County officials hope "to energize and transform public spaces through art" and support the economy, KRQE reported. Artists are encouraged to visit the county website to apply for a spot as a featured artist. They can be from the local community or out of state; the process is competitive.
"We go through a round of jurying with our arts board and committee members, and then an artist is selected to carry out the project," Swanson said.