Huntsville’s Public Art Master Plan: Making art a part of everyday life

They are all around us in plain sight - examples of Huntsville's brilliant art community. From massive sculptures to vibrant wall installations, today Huntsville's public spaces come alive with artistic expression and creativity.

Since being elected to lead Huntsville in 2008, Mayor Tommy Battle has made quality of life a cornerstone of his administration, and supporting the arts is critical to that mission. He and the City Council have staunchly supported the City's flourishing artist community, from the paint-splattered workspaces of Lowe Mill to exhibits at the Huntsville Museum of Art. Since 2012, Mayor Battle and the City Council have also committed to enhancing our shared public spaces with works of public art.

Fortunately, there's a plan guiding the master strokes - the City's Public Art Master Plan (PAMP). A collaboration with Arts Huntsville, the PAMP enhances the City's culture and ultimately attracts development opportunities. Huntsville was the first city in Alabama to enact such a plan.

"The goal of the Public Art Master Plan is to put art in public places all over the City, but it also complements the City's growth and our vision," Mayor Battle said. "It informs our decisions, but it also reflects what makes Huntsville so special."

Filling the canvas

So, what is deemed public art? Examples can be found throughout the City, both in civic spaces and private development. From new works of art by local artists along Governor's Drive to a variety of installations at our local parks, Huntsville offers a diverse array of artwork in the public realm. Residents encounter these artworks as a part of their everyday experience, while visitors happily stand nearby and snap selfies.

A popular example is "Travelers II" by Matt Niebuhr and David Dalquist. Installed on the west side of Big Spring Park, the thought-provoking sculpture's arcs represent the 'travelers' of Huntsville's past while celebrating the city's trajectory into the future. For residents and visitors, the art installation is more simply a meeting point, a gathering place, and a photo backdrop for capturing everyday experiences and special moments.

Like a beautiful and inspiring painting, however, Huntsville's public art landscape started with a mostly blank canvas. That is until 1989 when Arts Huntsville and the City started a program to put art in public places. An early example was "Geode," a downtown sculpture that was later relocated to the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

In 2010, Arts Huntsville organized the SPACES Sculpture Trail, a display of temporary art pieces. SPACES again got people talking about public art and how it could be part of Huntsville's future.

"We understand the profound impact that public art can have on a community," said Allison Dillon-Jauken, Executive Director of Arts Huntsville. "By infusing our built environment with public art, we can harness this potential to enrich our daily lives and bolster the economic vitality of greater Huntsville."

City Hall artwork

One of the most significant initiatives to emerge from the PAMP was the commissioning of large-scale public art installations for the new Huntsville City Hall. Arts Huntsville issued a national Request for Qualifications in 2021, and projects were developed in accordance with the PAMP under the guidance of the Huntsville Public Art Committee and Arts Huntsville.

The Public Art Committee is an 11-member group comprised of visual arts professionals, artists and Huntsville residents.

Meet the Huntsville City Hall Public Artists

The following nine pieces were ultimately selected, with a 10th piece by artist David Nuttall of Artimaps slated for installation this fall:

AquaLapis by Cliff Garten: A vast, illuminated metal and glass crystal installation showcasing the local environment's land and water contours. The piece is suspended above the grand staircase connecting the first and second floors.

Watermarks by Shuli Sadé: A digital artwork on a massive, illuminated glass wall that welcomes visitors in the main lobby on the second floor. The artwork deconstructs current and historical Huntsville landmarks.

Lay of the Land by Ben Butler: A typographical map of local mountains handcrafted from poplar wood installed behind the first-floor security desk. Butler harvested wood from poplar trees from the City Hall site before construction began.

The Spark by Ann Moeller: A large oil painting depicting Huntsville's children on Monte Sano, overlooking the city lights, while dreaming of their futures, located in the Mayor's conference room on the seventh floor.

Downtown Huntsville by Yuri Ozaki: An oil painting capturing a stunning aerial-view cityscape as it appeared during the City Hall construction period, located in the Mayor's reception area on the seventh floor.

Miracle Territory by Jahni Moore: A three-panel piece in the pre-function area on the sixth floor, which utilizes paint blended with Huntsville's red clay to explore the city's history.

Cityscape Block by Block by Guadalupe Lanning Robinson: A stunning quilt with a custom wood and ceramic frame in the Council reception area on the sixth floor, which celebrates both her Mexican heritage and traditional Alabama folk art.

Transformative Soil: Terra Firma by Cynthia Wagner: An 11-panel exploration of Huntsville's iconic symbols, seen while walking along the sixth-floor corridor.

Reflecting the Braille Sky by Cal Breed: An installation in the Mayor's Suite on the seventh floor which features glass disks resembling water ripples that echo cosmic patterns mounted against a star chart.

Mayor Tommy Battle emphasized the importance of integrating art into public projects like the new City Hall because they fulfill the vision to integrate more art into our public spaces while enhancing our shared community experience.

"As we evolve, our commitment to integrating art into our urban fabric is a testament to Huntsville's progressive vision and vibrant cultural spirit," he said. "Through strategic planning and collaborative partnerships, we're transforming our physical landscape while nurturing a sense of civic pride and cultural identity that resonates beyond our borders."

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