PROVO — Some called it whimsical, and at least one person called it weird.
Regardless of artistic tastes, the Provo City Council voted unanimously to approve two fanciful sculptures by Colorado artist Don Mitchell to welcome visitors arriving and departing from Provo's yet-to-be-built FrontRunner commuter rail station.
Visitors to Provo probably won't see the two pieces of artwork, called "Portal to Another Place" and "Two Greeters," until sometime in 2012 or 2013, when the Utah Transit Authority completes the commuter rail line to Utah County. The planned Provo station will service the rail line, local buses and a yet-to-be funded bus rapid transit system serving the Provo-Orem area.
"I really like it," said Provo City Council Chairwoman Midge Johnson, referring to two models Mitchell submitted for the station as part of UTA's Art in Transit program. "I think it's great fun and will make Provo stand out."
"I think it's weird as heck, but then I don't understand art," said Councilman Steve Turley. "I do understand we are getting a killer deal."
The deal is this: Provo basically gets a $100,000 piece of public art for $25,000. UTA is matching the cost of the project up to $50,000, and another $25,000 is being funded by private donations.
UTA offers the same deal to most FrontRunner stations, and many of those in place at stations from Salt Lake City to Pleasant View in Weber County have selected art that reflects the community's history or culture.
The Mitchell sculptures will be different.
"Whimsical is the word everybody is using," said Kathryn S. Allen, community outreach and gallery director for the Covey Center for the Arts. "I don't want to make other stations sound boring, but we wanted ours to stand out. It's a wonderful work of art."
Allen, who helped lead the committee that selected the artwork, said 176 artists answered the original call for the Provo commission.
Speaking from his studio in Littleton, Colo., Mitchell said his artwork, created using high-strength aluminum, is colorful, with bright blues, reds, greens and purples and is meant to be tongue-in-cheek.
"I really like to make people smile when they see my work," Allen said. "I want people to enjoy the art, and I want them to identify with it."
The artist said the sculptures will be colored using a process called powder coating, rather than painted. The powder is applied electrostatically and then cured under heat. The process makes the colors durable, keeping them vibrant for 20 years or more.
Councilwoman Cynthia Dayton expressed concern that the 11-foot "Two Greeters," depicting a man holding a sign that reads "Provo" and woman waving elongated arms, might attract individuals who want to swing on the arms.
Paul Glauser, the city's redevelopment association director who presented the proposal to the city, said once the artist was approved, changes could be recommended to resolve any concerns.
Mitchell said the artwork could be completed three or four months after he gets a contract. Still, it probably won't be unveiled to the public for a couple of years after that.
UTA spokesman Gerry Carpenter said the artwork is one of the last elements installed at commuter rail stations, which are expected to be completed in two to three years.
e-mail: mhaddock@desnews.com