Becky Wareing Steele

Community Hub: A Public Art Proposal for the Athmar Park Library

In 2023 I was selected as one of three finalists for a public art project for Athmar Park Library in Denver, Colorado. My proposed sculpture serves as an interactive gathering space that celebrates the diverse communities who have called Athmar Park since the neighborhoods establishment in 1949. The overall sculpture takes on the look and feel of a stylized hubcap, paying homage to lowrider cruising culture which is prominent in this community. The mandala like pattern of cutout shapes reveals the mirror polished stainless steel panel sandwiched between the two painted stainless steel panels, conveying the slow meditative feel of cruising culture with the final assembly is held in place by lug-nuts

The mandala serves as a vehicle for the stories of the diverse communities this library serves and also references this buildings history as a spiritual center. It was my intention for the final mandala design to be created collaboratively with students from the neighboring Goldrick Elementary School. The intention was for each side of the sculpture to feature a different mandala inspired design that speaks to the uniqueness of this community, with each side painted a different vibrant color.

Thank you to Public Art Services and Mowry Studio for their guidance and input in the development of this proposal.