Edmond Considers Buying $90,000 Sculpture from Houston's Astrodome

[Plutonic Panda]

City considers relocating Houston sculpture here
James Coburn
The Edmond Sun

EDMOND — The Edmond City Council voted 5-0 to purchase a $250,000 bronze sculpture for no more than $90,000, a figure which includes transportation costs with the condition the artwork is in acceptable condition.

“Touch the Clouds” is a bronze sculpture located at the Houston Astrodome, which is about to be demolished, Shadid said. This piece is available for a $50,000 donation to the Houston Rodeo Livestock Association, plus additional costs for relocation.

Internationally known sculptor Dave McGary, who created the piece, died about three weeks ago, Shadid said. “Touch the Clouds” is part of his Warrior Series. The sculpture depicts a Miniconjou chief of the late 19th century, a cousin of the Sioux warrior, Crazy Horse, according to McGary’s website.

His artwork has been placed overseas and “Touch the Clouds” is recognized as one of McGary’s significant pieces of art, Shadid said.

“The City of Edmond will get an enormous amount of press out of this,” Shadid said.

Bob Thomas of Edmond knew the artist and his representative in Ruidoso, N.M. He made the suggestion to Shadid to see if the city would be interested in purchasing “Touch the Clouds” for its collection.

“I said, ‘Well, there’s no matching money for it,’” Shadid said. “‘But I’ve talked to several councilmen before and they want some larger pieces for the city’s collection.’”

“Touch the Clouds” is 18 feet tall with a 15-foot-wide wing span weighing 20,000 pounds. There was an early cost estimate of $15,000 to move the sculpture from Houston to Ruidosa, Shadid said. Another cost estimate of $42,000 was made to move the sculpture to a museum in Atlanta.

- See more at: City considers relocating Houston sculpture here » Local News » The Edmond Sun


Here is sculpture:




I would be in support of this. Could make for a nice piece in the middle of future roundabout somewhere in DT Edmond.

[Plutonic Panda]

'EDMOND — City council members agreed to spend up to $90,000 to buy and move an 18-foot bronze statue from outside the Houston Astrodome to Edmond.

The deal comes with the stipulation that the sculpture, “Touch the Clouds,” by artist Dave McGary must be in good shape.

His widow, Molly McGary told The Oklahoman Tuesday the sculpture is in bad shape and must be refurbished.

“They never took care of it,” Molly McGary said. “It will have to come back to the studio to be refurbished. It can't be moved there without being refurbished.”

-Read more here: Edmond considers buying statue now outside the Houston Astrodome | News OK

[Mel]

It looks like it would be a good fit for Oklahoma.

[PiePie]

It looks like it would be a good fit for Oklahoma.

Well yeah since Oklahoma have heritage of indians so it is a perfect fit

[OkieHornet]

i think the $90,000 would have been better spent somewhere else in the city, rather than adding to the 148 pieces of public art edmond currently has.

[jerrywall]

Eh, I think it's a worthwhile investment. I love that Edmond is spending money on downtown improvements, art, bike lanes, running trails and more.

Or we could have streets with no sidewalks filled with trashy neon and flashing signs.

[OkieHornet]

Eh, I think it's a worthwhile investment. I love that Edmond is spending money on downtown improvements, art, bike lanes, running trails and more.

Or we could have streets with no sidewalks filled with trashy neon and flashing signs.

i love that edmond is spending money on those things too, minus this $90,000 being spent on the 149th piece of public art. i think there comes a point of oversaturation where you look on every corner (my exaggeration) and there's a sculpture. takes away from the specialness and discovery of it in my opinion.

the public art i wish had more presence is the green keith haring sculpture hidden in next to the dark gray brick bank at 15th & broadway. i believe that was purchased many years ago by the owner of the bank from a collection in nyc.

[ThomPaine]

It looks like it would be a good fit for Oklahoma.

Not really. Might as well be a sulpture of Chief Seattle. The Sioux were never in Oklahoma.

[Debzkidz]

i love that edmond is spending money on those things too, minus this $90,000 being spent on the 149th piece of public art. i think there comes a point of oversaturation where you look on every corner (my exaggeration) and there's a sculpture. takes away from the specialness and discovery of it in my opinion.

the public art i wish had more presence is the green keith haring sculpture hidden in next to the dark gray brick bank at 15th & broadway. i believe that was purchased many years ago by the owner of the bank from a collection in nyc.

This. There's too much of it. Stop already! I love art, but it's to the point that they seem to be just sticking pieces everywhere. It's become a joke in our house.

[Plutonic Panda]

I haven't really noticed the art everywhere. I think it is fine. This will be a nice addition to OKC.

To Thomas Paine, did Space Shuttle Endeavour ever take off from Los Angeles? No. But the California ScienCenter has it. Just because we never had the Sioux doesn't mean we shouldn't have the statue.

[ThomPaine]

I haven't really noticed the art everywhere. I think it is fine. This will be a nice addition to OKC.

To Thomas Paine, did Space Shuttle Endeavour ever take off from Los Angeles? No. But the California ScienCenter has it. Just because we never had the Sioux doesn't mean we shouldn't have the statue.

California was instrumental in the Shuttle Program (JPL).

I have no problem with the piece as art for art's sake, but it has nothing to do with Oklahoma per se. People need to understand that not all "Indian" tribes are alike. Oklahoma has a rich American Indian history, but it has nothing (that I know of) to do with the Sioux tribes.

[Plutonic Panda]

I'll read up more on the Sioux. I thought they were or at one time associated with Oklahoma somehow.

[ThomPaine]

I'll read up more on the Sioux. I thought they were or at one time associated with Oklahoma somehow.

If so, I'll eat Crow (sorry, bad joke).

I can't say for sure, but I do know they were predominantly north of Kansas...

[jerrywall]

I'll read up more on the Sioux. I thought they were or at one time associated with Oklahoma somehow.

The Sioux themselves were never here as far as I know, but they were extremely influential in the development and the culture of many of the various tribes that did come here, such as the Pawnee, Cheyenne, and the Arapaho.

[Plutonic Panda]

It was approved.

City eyes 4 spots for 18-foot statue
By James Coburn
The Edmond Sun

EDMOND — The Edmond City Council voted 5-0 this week to purchase a $250,000 bronze sculpture for $90,000. This figure includes transportation costs with the stipulation that the artwork is in acceptable condition.

Mayor Charles Lamb said the $90,000 includes a payment of $50,000 for the art and $40,000 for transportation and mounting it.

“Touch the Clouds” is a sculpture at the Houston Astrodome, which is about to be demolished.

The seller of the statue, the Livestock Rodeo Association, gave the city an extension without interest as a decision is made as to where to place it on city-owned property.

The council reached a consensus to suggest four possible sites to city staff for their recommendations.

Lamb said the staff’s input is needed for cost control and the feasibility of placing the sculpture, which is 18 feet tall with a 15-foot-wide wing span weighing more than 20,300 pounds.

“I think what they call King Park, the little space behind Public Works, still would work,” Lamb said.

A plaza could be formed around the statue near a parking area, placing “Touch the Clouds” downtown in walking distance from the statue of famed Edmond gymnast Shannon Miller, he said. Her statue is at Shannon Miller Park near the Edmond Library, 10 S. Boulevard.

- See more at: City eyes 4 spots for 18-foot statue » Local News » The Edmond Sun

[boscorama]

Sounds good. I had a certain juju with the Astrodome in the Luv Ya Blue daze.

[Plutonic Panda]

If so, I'll eat Crow (sorry, bad joke).

I can't say for sure, but I do know they were predominantly north of Kansas...

Oh, btw you were right, they were never here... don't know why I thought that..

[Plutonic Panda]

i think the $90,000 would have been better spent somewhere else in the city, rather than adding to the 148 pieces of public art edmond currently has.

Now honestly, if you're talking about this crap they call art that they place in the medians of the streets, then yes, I agree with you.

[Plutonic Panda]

This kind of unrelated, but is another piece for anyone that wants to read it. Nothing of any significance though.

Edmond gets another piece of public artwork | News OK

[jerrywall]

From what I understand, Edmond maintains a budget specifically for their participation in their "Art in Public Places" program (similar to the one signed into law by Brad Henry in 2004). So when something is purchased through this program, it doesn't take money from any other city services, roads, etc. As it is, as far as I know they've never spent the full budget in a year.

Art purchased through this program is half paid for by private funds, and there's a detailed approval/application process.

Edmond's Art in Public Places program has earned national recognition, and has been a major factor in some of our livability rankings.

[Plutonic Panda]

New location has likely been decided

OSBI grounds voted locale for new sculpture

James Coburn
The Edmond Sun

EDMOND — City staff is working toward an agreement with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation Lab to place the “Touch the Clouds” bronze sculpture on the OSBI grounds on Second Street. The City of Edmond would retain ownership of the artwork.

The Edmond City Council voted 4-1 this week to allow city staff to negotiate the agreement as soon as possible. Mayor Charles Lamb voted against pursuing the agreement.

City Councilwoman Victoria Caldwell said she was initially interested in placing the sculpture near the Smith House because of it’s proximity to state Highway 66.

“So while I would love it to be on Edmond owned land, I’m going to overweigh the Highway 66, which Second Street is a part of,” Caldwell said. Caldwell now favors the OSBI site if there is clarification that the city owns the statue.

“Of all the places, I think that is going to give it more visibility to a larger group of people than any place else,” Caldwell said.

Craig Dishman, director of Parks and Recreations, said that OSBI is interested in having the “Touch the Clouds” on their property.

“That is your decision. It is not a city property,” Dishman said.

In March, the council directed city staff to study the feasibility of placing the 20,300-pound sculpture on four possible sites. Consideration was given to King Plaza, a small park behind the Public Works building downtown. Also considered was a small hill near the Smith House, located in the southwest portion of Edmond 66 Park. Hafer Park and Bickham Rudkin Park were also mentioned as a site to place “Touch the Clouds.”

“The Bickham Rudkin location that was determined by staff to meet our objectives of parking, accessibility and visibility, seemed like a good choice,” Lamb said.

The OSBI Lab would offer pedestrian accessibility with the University of Central Oklahoma located across the street as well as Fink Park being directly west of the site, Caldwell said.

“During weekends, there is plenty of parking at OSBI,” Caldwell said.

There are already two marked crosswalks with a lighted crossing sign for pedestrian crossing, she added.

- See more at: OSBI grounds voted locale for new sculpture » Local News » The Edmond Sun

[Edmond_Outsider]

the public art i wish had more presence is the green keith haring sculpture hidden in next to the dark gray brick bank at 15th & broadway. i believe that was purchased many years ago by the owner of the bank from a collection in nyc.

I never knew that was there. Its a shame they keep it hidden from public view.

I've been in Edmond for about 20 years now and the changes reflected in public art and a planning commission willing to fight to preserve the city's master plan has transformed Edmond from a faceless collection of churches, fastfood, and cheaply built strips into something resembling a city.

I'm not wild about this statue but I'm not sure there can be too much public art.

I'm not sure people know that quite a bit is funded privately.

[jdbells]

Would love for them to use a local artist, namely my brother (I know, shameless plug). He is a UCO graduate, lived in Edmond until he moved to Luther so he could build a studio, and has sculptures on Tinker AFB, Bricktown, and other places in Oklahoma as well as other states. He worked under the contracted artist for the Shannon Miller sculpture next to the library and actually prep work for the project. Here is his website.... Home

[Plutonic Panda]

Council zeroes in on UCO property for new statue » Local News » The Edmond Sun

[Plutonic Panda]

City prepares placement of ?Touch the Clouds? sculpture » Local News » The Edmond Sun