New roundabout art sprouts wings, fins
LOREN BENOIT/Press David Boyer, an artist from Reno, Nev. finishes up installing his “Swimming with Friends,” artwork Thursday at the Atlas Road and Seltice Way roundabout. The kinetic artwork fish flap in the wind. More than 100 artists made submissions from around the world and the Coeur d’Alene city council finalized Boyer as the winner in November.
David Boyer didn’t have to wait long for inspiration. It came right away.
The kinetic wind sculpture artist from Reno, Nev., who began his career in 1998, was commissioned by the city to create two pieces for roundabouts on Seltice Way.
His metal sculptures, “Soaring with Friends,” which depicts birds, and “Swimming with Friends,” which depicts fish, were installed earlier this week.
The pieces, Boyer said, represent the community working together cooperatively as well as give a nod to protecting the environment.
Boyer began assembling his two pieces on Tuesday. They’re a natural fit for the roundabouts. “When it was designed, there was a flat space in the middle for art,” Parks and Recreation Superintendent Bill Greenwood said.
The city of Coeur d’Alene and its Arts Commission issued a call last year asking artists to submit work to be installed in the two roundabouts. Greenwood said more than 100 artists made submissions from around the world. Officials interviewed about a dozen artists, then asked Coeur d’Alene residents to make the final decision. Finalists displayed their work in the City Hall lobby; residents voted on their favorites.
Boyer didn’t think his sculptures would be chosen.
“I actually thought I was the odd man out,” Boyer said. “When we had our artist interview, I thought that I wasn’t going to get the project. [So] I was extremely relaxed, very personable and joking with everyone.”
City council members finalized Boyer as the winner in November.
Boyer has had his art displayed in cities including Seattle, Las Vegas and San Diego. He visited Coeur d’Alene for the first time a little over a month ago.
“It is a beautiful community,” Boyer said. “The environment is beautiful, the mountains, the lakes, rivers, it’s pretty phenomenal.”
The council had a $160,000 budget to cover the costs of production, transportation, consulting, insurance, installation and Boyer’s expenses. The project received funding from ignite cda’s River District’s urban renewal dollars.
“Soaring with Friends” is at Atlas Road. “Swimming with Friends” is at Grand Mill Lane, a mile away.
“[The new art] adds a quality of life that I think all art provides,” Greenwood said.