Art in Public Buildings

About the Art in Public Buildings Program

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. 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.

Requests for Qualifications

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.

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. Main campus sits to the west of I-90 and the new Advanced Manufacturing and Applied Sciences Center sits to the east and is visible from the interstate. The public art committee for the facility is seeking work for an exterior screen wall that could include murals, designed paneling, or other proposed structural screening. A reissued RFQ is now open on CaFE with a August 25, 2023 deadline to submit. Wyoming artists will be given preference and are encouraged to apply. Finish boards, floor plans, and a conceptual drawing are available courtesy of MOA Architecture.

Northwest College

Northwest College (NWC) in Powell is constructing a new Student Center, scheduled to open in 2024. The is commissioning work that is integrated into the two-story fireplace and has selected artists Shelley Beishline and Rob Beishline of Tooza Design (UT) The work will be installed in summer of 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 is planned for later this spring.

Central Wyoming College

Central Wyoming College, located in Riverton, is constructing a new Rocky Mountain Complex, which will house its agriculture and animal science programs. Chicago artist Michael Young is fabricating a large stainless steel sculpture that will incorporate LED lighting, seating, and a fire pit. The sculpture will be 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 new facility includes various laboratory spaces, a makerspace, student innovation and project space, and the Dean’s office. The committee has selected WindDriven Studios (Laramie, WY) to create an outdoor sculpture on the Lewis St. side of the EERB. The sculpture will be an interpretation of a historic engineering transit that incorporates the various engineering departments housed in the building. It will be installed in the spring of 2023.

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. An exterior powder-coated steel piece by local artist Lonnie Wright will be installed in 2023.