Public Art is a vital part of Lawrence’s Unmistakable Identity. It has the power to transform everyday spaces by encouraging active engagement with our surroundings and a deeper connection to place. Through music, murals, sculptures, and creative display, public art brings people together, sparks conversation, and creates shared experiences that strengthen community bonds.
Beyond its cultural and economic benefits, art in the public realm also contributes to public health and wellbeing (World Health Organization report). Art in the public realm has been shown to reduce stress, improve mental health, and encourage physical activity by inviting people to walk, explore, and spend time outdoors. It fosters inclusive environments where people of all ages and backgrounds feel welcome, seen, and inspired.
Lawrence joins more than 450 municipal public art programs across the U.S., and countless others around the world, in recognizin
g that public art is more than decoration—it’s a tool for storytelling, connection, economic development and community wellness. Through thoughtful public art programming, we celebrate the unique identity of Lawrence while supporting an authentic, vibrant, healthy, and resilient community.
The Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission works toward assisting area artists with professional development and expanding the interaction between Lawrence citizens and art by overseeing the Annual Unmistakable Public Art Exhibit and the Percent for Art programs – scroll down for more information.
Public Art – Current Request for Qualifications
There are no requests for qualifications at this time.
Sorry. This form is no longer available.
Mural Review Guidelines
The Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission (LCAC) is designated by the Lawrence City Commission to review mural proposals within the city.
- Mural Review Criteria
- Downloadable Mural Review Proposal Template (Please download this form to your computer by going to the “File” menu and then click on “Save As” to save a copy to your computer.)
Sample Mural Proposals
- Dave Loewenstein, Cottin’s mural proposal (PDF)
- Loewenstein work samples (PDF)
- Louis Copt, Mass Street Music mural proposal (PDF)
- Stephen T. Johnson and strong hand steady signs – Austin Meyers & Travis Andregg, Penn Street Lofts mural proposal (PDF)
- VanGo, Health Department mural proposal (PDF)
- Lawrence Public Library, Womxn of Color (WoC) mural proposal (PDF)
Donated Art Guidelines
Administrative Policy 81 – Donated Art Guidelines
Subscription List – Public Art Opportunities
The Lawrence Cultural Arts Commission has a free public art opportunities e-mail notification subscription list. Anyone interested in seeing local, national or international calls for public art opportunities can subscribe for free! To subscribe, click this link: https://www.lawrenceks.org/subscriptions and follow the instructions on the subscription page—Look under Arts and Culture – Calls for public art. We’ll forward national, regional and local calls as they are received.
For more information, contact Porter Arneill, parneill@lawrenceks.org
Public Art Program – Recent Projects
Interior photo of Transit facility showing colorful public art windows, entitled Making Connections, by Tyler Kimball of Monarch Glass Studios
Multi-modal Transit Facility
Making Connections,” by Tyler Kimball of Monarch Glass Studios of Kansas City, MO, was installed October, 2023 at the new Multi-modal Transit Facility located at Bob Billings Parkway and the intersection of Crestline Drive. Information sheet (PDF)
As part of the City’s public art program, an artist selection panel chose Mr. Kimball through a national competition. Transit Facility public art RFQ (PDF). He worked with staff, project architects, and community members to develop his overall concept for the new facility, which is due to open in early 2024.
The title of the public artwork, Making Connections, literally and metaphorically references the facility’s nature as a multi-modal transit hub in Lawrence.
Mr. Kimball created colorful glass “plates” and background panels as part of a window installation in the two front-facing windows of the facility. Light through the windows casts an array of color patterns through the interior of the facility throughout the day, and at night, with interior lighting, the windows serve as a beacon of colored light in the community. Accompanying the windows on the inside is an artist-created chandelier with the same color palette.
Outside stand three multi-colored light towers, each topped with a sphere and all lit from within. The stacked colored glass and internal lighting in each tower create a range of color tones throughout each tower. The towers stand as friendly sentinels and help visually connect the exterior transit and pedestrian area with the facility.
Making Connections Information sheet (PDF)
Link to video of Tyler Kimball working in the studio
Police Department Headquarters – Park Site
Through Other Eyes by Joseph O’Connell of Creative Machines, was installed June 24, 2022. Information Sheet (PDF)
Mr. O’Connell was chosen through a national competition in 2019 (summary). He worked with staff and community members to develop his concept for the park adjacent to the Lawrence Police Headquarters. While the project was started in early 2020, it was delayed by COVID and was strongly influenced by the death of George Floyd in May of 2020. The title of the piece, Through Other Eyes stems in large part from the new awareness gained from that incident and the national response in better understanding both our differences and commonalities. The artwork is both sculptural and architectural and serves as a gateway and meeting point for the park. The ring at the top of the arches includes ten sets of interpretive “eyes” crafted from colored glass beads. Each pair of eyes is based on a photograph of an individual Lawrencian and represents our community diversity. In the artist’s words, “This artwork is about the wonder and beauty of eyes and seeing into and through other’s eyes.”
The sphere hanging from the arches lights from within at night and projects imagery derived from community input on the ground under the artwork.
Fire Station 1/Senior Resource Center renovation
Paradoxical Synapse is a sculpture created for the exterior of the historic building by local artist Jacob Burmood. The artwork was installed in 2019 and is inspired by the relationship between the Fire Department, the Senior Resource Center for Douglas County and the historic occupants of this unique facility. Paradoxical Synapse info sheet.