Art in Public Buildings

In 1991, the 51st Legislature of the State of Wyoming passed the Art in Public Buildings legislation. One percent of construction costs of new, state-owned buildings are to be utilized for placing artwork in the public setting, helping to beautify our public buildings and draw attention to the wealth of artist experience within our region.

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About the Art in Public Buildings Program

The artwork for each project is selected by a committee specifically selected for that project.

Each committee typically consists of representatives from the community in which the building is located, representatives from the user agency, artists or other representatives from the art community, the architect for the building, and a representative from the State’s Construction and Management Office.

The Wyoming Arts Council coordinates and leads the committee meetings to help administer the project, but does not vote on the selection of artists or artwork.

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Current Projects

The Wyoming Arts Council posts all public art calls and RFQs on CaFE. Details including eligibility requirements, deadlines, and project budgets are available within each RFQ on CaFE. Wyoming artists are given preference. CaFE is free for artists to use.

The Wyoming Arts Council will announce when the following requests for qualifications are active and accepting submissions:

• Wyoming State Forestry Helibase Project in Casper, WY
• Central Wyoming College Jackson Campus Project in Jackson Hole, WY
• Western Wyoming Community College Health Sciences Building in Rock Springs, WY
• Wyoming Girls’ School in Sheridan, WY

Wyoming State Forestry Helibase

This facility is located on the Casper Airport grounds located northwest of Casper, Wyoming and will house the Wyoming State Helitack Program. The program includes housing and supporting fire crews through the Wyoming State Forestry Division, which has been involved in emergency services since 2004. It functions as an initial attack, exclusive use helicopter for fire suppression and all risk emergencies throughout the State of Wyoming.

The link to the open call can be found here, the application window will close Friday May 9th, 2025. Schematics of the facility can be viewed here.

University of Wyoming

The University of Wyoming is in the process of constructing the new Student Housing Project on the Laramie Campus. The first of these buildings, the North Hall, will open in 2025 near the intersection of 15th Street and Willett Drive and will house 950 beds, dining hall, and more incredible features. The Student Housing Project will replace the current dormitories while bringing students closer to the heart of campus. By selection committee vote, artist David Eaton and his proposed work “Beauty of the West” will be installed in the dining area of the North Hall. To view more of Eaton’s past project, visit his website at www.partwise.art

 

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Past Projects

Northwest College

Northwest College (NWC) in Powell is constructing a new Student Center, scheduled to open in 2024. The commissioned work will be integrated into the two-story fireplace by the selected artists Shelley Beishline and Rob Beishline of Tooza Design. The sculpture, “Landform Journey” was installed in the fall of 2024 with a celebration planned for the Spring 2025.

Sheridan College

Sheridan College is renovating an existing prefabricated metal building with a new building addition to create a new Advanced Manufacturing and Applied Sciences Center, scheduled to open in fall 2024. Artist Matt Baral’s piece, “A River of Wind” was installed in 2024 with a ribbon-cutting event on September 4th, 2024.

Casper College

Casper College is currently constructing a new Visual Arts Building on campus in Casper. Missouri artist Nathan Pierce recently installed a large stainless steel and acrylic sculpture, “In the Wind.” A building dedication was held in the spring of 2023.

Central Wyoming College

Central Wyoming College, located in Riverton, constructed a new Rocky Mountain Complex, which houses its agriculture and animal science programs. Chicago artist Michael Young has fabricated a large stainless steel sculpture, “Gathering” which incorporates LED lighting, seating, and a fire pit. The sculpture was installed in the spring of 2023.

Skilled Nursing Facility

The Wyoming Department of Health, along with the Veteran’s Commission and State Construction Department, recently completed the Veteran’s Home of Wyoming Skilled Nursing Facility, located in Buffalo, Wyoming. Lander artist David Alan Clark installed a life-size bronze sculpture, “The Family Business” (pictured above) in the fall. A building dedication was held in October.

University of Wyoming Engineering Education and Research Building

The University of Wyoming recently completed construction on the Engineering Education and Research Building (EERB) in Laramie. The committee selected WindDriven Studios (WY) to create an outdoor sculpture on the Lewis St. side of the EERB. The sculpture is an interpretation of a historic engineering transit that incorporates the various engineering departments housed in the building. It was installed in the spring of 2024 with a celebration the following October.

Sheridan College Technical Education Center

Sheridan College in north-central Wyoming recently completed construction on the new Technical Education Center. Photographs by former Sheridan College faculty member Dave Marquith have been installed. The exterior powder coated steel sculpture, “Tech Center Quad Carousel” by local artist Lonnie Wright, was installed in 2023.