In early 2024, I received exciting news that my work had been selected for consideration in a public art opportunity at the University of Colorado, Boulder. The project was tied to the renovation of the Hellems Arts & Sciences Building, originally constructed in 1921 by architect Charles Z. Klauder in the Tuscan Vernacular style. This was the first building on campus designed in this distinctive style, characterized by the use of native pink sandstone, limestone, black metal accents, and red terra cotta tile roofs. The current renovation aims to reimagine the interior, creating an inclusive and open environment for students that will endure for the next 100 years.

A portion of the construction budget was allocated for public art, and the university issued a national call for artists to submit their portfolios. From this, a review committee selected about 10 finalists. I was thrilled to learn that I was among them, and I had roughly a month to develop a concept and prepare a presentation.

In February, I flew to Boulder to present my design to the review committee. At the heart of the renovation, this historical building was being transformed to meet the needs of contemporary users, while also considering the next century of student life. The architectural style of the Hellems building has greatly influenced the overall aesthetic of the campus, and I was particularly captivated by the exterior’s stunning stonework. After my presentation, I flew home with no clear sense of how my proposal had been received.

A few weeks later, I was notified that I had been awarded the project, along with my two preferred installation locations: a long aisle on both the second and third floors. The building is slated to reopen in January 2026, with my artwork to be installed by late 2025.

What was my winning concept? I’ll reveal that in my next blog post.