Art in the Heart brings regional sculptors to downtown Farmington, New Mexico, creating a walkable gallery that supports local artists.
Farmington, New Mexico, has embraced public art to enrich its community spaces and celebrate regional creativity. After finishing the Complete Streets project in the Historic Downtown corridor, adding public art to this growing arts and cultural district was the next step in the revitalization effort of downtown. The Art in the Heart sculpture program transforms the Historic Downtown corridor into an open-air gallery featuring a rotating selection of sculptures by artists from the surrounding Four Corners region. This program not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of the area, but also fosters cultural engagement, supports regional artists, and showcases the rich and diverse cultural fabric of the area.
Launched in 2022, the program integrates art into daily life, encouraging residents and visitors to explore downtown Farmington. Each year, the city issues a call for entries to artists from New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, and Utah, seeking diverse and high-quality sculptures for public display. A jury selects up to twenty pieces based on artistic excellence, originality, timelessness, and compatibility with the family-friendly downtown environment. Selected artists receive a $1,000 honorarium, and out-of-town participants are offered complimentary lodging during the installation period. A reception for the artists is held on Friday evening after the installation process is complete.
The current exhibition features eleven unique sculptures, each contributing to the vibrant tapestry of downtown Farmington. Notable works include:
The Warrior Protector by Tamie Cottrell: A striking metal and sandstone piece standing eight feet tall, symbolizing strength and guardianship.
Little Cowboy by Lawrence Starck: A bronze sculpture capturing the spirit of the American West.
And Free Range Longhorn by Fredrick Prescott: A dynamic, powder-coated stainless-steel sculpture of a longhorn, towering at ten feet and embodying the region’s ranching heritage.
Strategically placed along Main Street, these sculptures invite pedestrians to engage with the art as they navigate the historic downtown area. Each piece is available for purchase, with proceeds supporting both the artists and the continuation of the program. The current exhibition will be leaving in May to make room for the next round of eighteen new pieces of art arriving later that month.
The Art in the Heart sculpture program has garnered positive feedback from both the community and participating artists. Sculptors appreciate the opportunity to showcase their work in a public setting, noting that the exhibition helps to raise awareness of the arts in Farmington. The presence of these sculptures has been credited with increasing foot traffic downtown, benefiting local businesses and fostering a sense of community pride.
Farmington’s dedication to integrating art into public spaces exemplifies the city’s recognition of arts and culture as a vital component of the community’s development, so much so that the City has purchased several of the pieces from previous exhibits to integrate into the community. By supporting programs like Art in the Heart, Farmington not only enhances its visual landscape but also creates an environment where art is accessible to all. The infusion of art into the physical infrastructure enriches the city’s cultural fabric, making it a more vibrant and inviting place to live, work, and visit!
fmtn.org/99/downtown-farmington
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