Art Walk Highlights Public Art

Last night’s Art Walk in downtown Cody allowed the public to get a sneak preview of a new bronze that will have its home on Sheridan Avenue, as well as share their opinion on the use of public space.
A ribbon cutting ceremony took place yesterday evening during the Art Walk, part of the activities of Rendezvous Royale. In addition to the unveiling of Vic Payne’s bronze titled “Born Under a Wandering Star”, local artists like sculptor Tanner Loren and husband and wife painters Dave and Coletta Kewitt applied their craft in the open air of Bell Plaza, where members of the Cody Country Art League gathered information from passersby regarding how that space could be utilized best.

Communities across the country have made a concerted effort to bring public art to their towns. Since Cody is immersed in the western spirit and is well known for the creativity of its many residents, both historically and presently, Mayor Matt Hall tasked the Cody Public Arts Task Force to develop a plan to bring public art to main street in order to improve pedestrian traffic from the Buffalo Bill Center of the West through all the downtown area. The plan is to begin this project at Bell Plaza between 13th and 14th Street on Sheridan Avenue.

The Cody Public Art Task Force is comprised of local citizens, both business leaders and private individuals. The Cody Public Arts Project’s underlying focus is to bring residents downtown and to increase tourism.