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- Edmond’s popular public art program is facing a funding shortfall due to its own success.
- The Edmond Visual Arts Commission has nearly exhausted its matching funds for new art acquisitions this fiscal year.
- Local business owners and private donors are key partners in expanding the city’s public art.
EDMOND − Art is costly, especially if popular, and public art is in demand in Edmond.
The Edmond Visual Arts Commission has already spent almost all of the funds it had set aside to match with private donations for new acquisitions this fiscal year, said Cinda Covel, city director of public art.
The Uncommon Ground Sculpture Park has gotten the most attention lately, but Edmond’s original public art program, now with 347 separate pieces, has remained vibrant, as well.
Just six of the dozen pieces approved by the commission so far this year were for The Uncommon Ground, the private-public park underway at Second Street and Coltrane Road, Covel said. The 62-acre park will have more than 60 sculptures, play spaces, event centers, hiking trails and retail.
Two national publications have featured Edmond’s program this year: “CODAreview,” in an article headlined “A public art revolution transforming a city,” in an issue dedicated to “The Power of Public Art,” and “Sculpture Quarterly,” in an article, “Randel and Dana Shadid, Where Private Meets Public.”
So why the shortfall for acquiring other public art? It was an unexpected sign of success, Covel said.
Success of Edmond’s public art program brings a challenge: More funds needed
The visual arts commission, which recently created an interactive public art locator online, founded by the Edmond City Council in 2001, ended the 2024-2025 fiscal year June 30 with money in the bank − about $61,000 to match with gifts from donors and partners, she said.
So program managers didn’t ask for as much funding as it usually does during the city budget process. That $61,000, plus the $100,000 budgeted by the city, didn’t last as long as anticipated, Covel said.
“We anticipate being nearly out of funds by the end of (December) — an unfortunate challenge when most of our projects are partnerships in which donors contribute half or more,” she said. “It’s a clear sign that our program is thriving and making a meaningful impact in our community.
“Our public art is reaching a level that will draw tourism and help our businesses thrive too.”
Caleb McCaleb is an Edmond business owner who is a believer in art for the public good. He and his McCaleb Homes have contributed to several art pieces, some that give homage to his Chickasaw heritage and Native American history.
‘Tatanka’ stands as a sentry for Native American history at Bison Ridge addition in Edmond
“Tatanka,” by Colorado artist Bruce Gueswel, is at the entrance to McCaleb’s new Bison Ridge addition at 6251 E Danforth Road. “Tatanka” is the Lakota word for “bison,” also called buffalo. The art piece started as origami paper, the familiar patterns replicated in Corten steel, a kind that forms a protective rust-like patina.
McCaleb and his wife, Terri, acquired the Corten steel structure in memory of his father, Neal McCaleb, a civil engineer and longtime public servant best known, perhaps, for his Chickasaw advocacy and leadership in the development of Oklahoma transportation. He died at 89 in January.
“The reason it was important to us is when that land, way before there were any Native Americans on this area, and the same time that Native Americans were here, there were the old bison wallows,” he said. “They were up on the hill from us.
“We have protected those and they’ll be part of our common areas in our neighborhood. I thought it would just be nice to connect the history of our land to that piece right when you come in.”
Not all the art McCaleb has acquired is so serious. Outside the clubhouse at his Town Square neighborhood, on Danforth Road 2 miles west of Bison Ridge, stands “Arrgh,” a 9-foot-tall bronze pirate by another Colorado artist, sculpture Gary Alsum.
Public art approved this year by the Edmond Visual Arts Commission
Of the current inventory of 347 pieces, 270 are sculptures, 58 are murals, and 19 are wall hangings. Covel said the latest pieces approved for places other than The Uncommon Ground are:
- “A Moment in Time,” a mural by Cread Baylis and Mandolyn White celebrating the OKC Thunder’s first NBA championship, at 7 E Second St. and Broadway Avenue, by Sunnyside Diner.
- “Scissortail Dance,” a stainless-steel piece by Rob Lorenson, at the entry to Danforth Crossing addition on Danforth Road just east of Interstate 35.
- “Fulfillment,” a mural by Chris Cargill, on the south side of HOPEfully Yours, 908 N Broadway Ave.
- “Picture This,” a mural by Chris Cargill, on the south side of Trinity Mercantile, 23 S Broadway Ave.
- “In the Dog Days of Summer, It’s Good to be a Cat,” a mural by Chris Cargill, to be placed at The Visiting Veterinarian, 2825 S Broadway Ave.
- “Heaven Bound,” a bronze piece by Lincoln Fox, to be placed in one of McCaleb Homes’ new housing additions.
What new public art pieces are heading to Edmond?
Covel said the following pieces are awaiting delivery:
- “Call to Duty,” a bronze fallen officer memorial by Brodin Studios, to be placed on the north side of the Police Department, 100 E First St.
- “Dr. Elaine Bartgis,” a bronze by Jane DeDecker that honors one of Edmond’s first female police officers, in a partnership with the University of Central Oklahoma, to be placed on campus.
- “Flight of Dreams,” a stainless-steel, monumental sized piece by Stephen Lee and Brandon Taylor, purchased with city capital improvement funds, to be placed at the A.C. Caplinger Sports Complex under renovation at 900 S Bryant Ave.
Edmond home builder Caleb McCaleb: Public art is more than meets the eye
McCaleb says he sees value in public art because “it creates a place.”
“It makes a place,” he said, “whether it be an art museum or, like this, art where people can just drive by and see it every day. I mean, I love it. I go out of my way (to see it) when I’m driving through Edmond.
“Instead of going down Coltrane or going down Bryant, I always go down Boulevard because I like the feeling of it because there’s so many pieces right there together. And if you go down Broadway or Main Street in Edmond, there’s a lot of pieces there. You can’t miss them.”
He said Edmond’s public art makes him think of meaningful examples of the genre he and his wife have seen on their excursions in other countries.
“We like to travel, you know, whether we go to Europe or to Mexico or whatever, art is an important part of the culture,” McCaleb said, and impressions last when it includes “having a visual, where you can see it and touch it.”
Staff writer Richard Mize covers Oklahoma County government and the city of Edmond. He previously covered housing, commercial real estate and related topics for the newspaper and Oklahoman.com, starting in 1999. Contact him at rmize@oklahoman.com.
