Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo

Institute of Forensic Psychiatry

Finalists Chosen:
Dawn
Michael Clapper; Denver, Colorado
Central Park Sculpture
Budget: $42,000
Installed June, 2008
A long time Denver public artist, Michael’s proposal for the central park space of the institute was selected.  Dawn is made of Colorado Yule marble.  Regarding the concept for this piece the artist said, “My intent for the Central Park Sculpture is to create a visual gesture of hope.  I am using the act of the Sun rising over the horizon as a metaphorical inspiration.  This piece will serve as a reminder that there are constants in our lives and that each day presents us with hope and a new beginning.”

Eileen Gay; Sparks, Nevada
Nine Patient Care Unit Entryways
Budget: $167,000
Installed February, 2009
For the nine Entryway/Nurses Station areas at CMHIP’s Patient Care Unit, Eileen envisioned colorful yet calming and uplifting tile mosaic panels portraying images of nature including birds, fish, animals, mountains, hills, night sky and grass.  The mosaic images are created using stone, glazed tile materials, and glass.  She added a bonus mosaic ‘key’ panel to each of the design sets that is a one square foot mosaic matching each theme. 

Richard Hansen; Penrose, Colorado
7 Water features
Budget: $105,000
Installed April, 2009
Richard Hansen’s goal is to have these water features offer something for all of the senses – sight, sound, touch and even smell.  In the arid West these sensory experiences must be maximized with a minimum amount of water and in the winter months when the water is not flowing, the memory of water should be present. 

The medium will be glacial granite boulders gathered at 10,000 feet above elevation from the Arkansas River drainage.  These stones are rounded, gray, and rich with understated white veining.  He will create water features that have a sculptural presence, offering calm and strong forms throughout the season and the soothing sight and sound of water.

David Tonnesen; Somerville, Massachusetts
Main Entry Sculpture
Budget: $62,000
Installed August, 2008
David Tonnesen has created a sculpture that provides focus and interest on the entry courtyard while conveying a hopeful, inspiring and uplifting message. Standing about 14 feet high, the sculpture expresses a gesture of flowing and soaring through swooping shapes that appears weightless.

The sculpture consists of forms of brushed stainless steel which will catch and reflect the colors of the sky, the grasses and surrounding environment. The rust oxidized base will pull in the earth tones of the building façade and will be reminiscent of the Colorado cliffs, rich in iron ore, a reference to Pueblo’s once burgeoning iron mining industry.

Flower Works
David Tonnesen; Somerville, Massachusetts Transitions Sculptures
Budget: $42,000
Installed August, 2008
The transition spaces create a separation between the three main buildings and provide the residents a place to stop, rest, interact, and experience the landscape views.  Nature is his inspiration, specifically the Allium plant. He proposed an exterior piece to create a dialogue that some will see as large flowers, dandelions or the Fourth of July fireworks.

The sculpture is a composition of three abstracted Allium blooms each higher than the other with stems that curve in a life like matter. The tallest flower will be about 18 feet tall and the smallest abut 8 feet tall. The spherical blooms will vary in diameter from 3.5’ to 6’. At the top of each stem is a polished sphere from which emanate many long filaments punctuated by bright bursting buds or sparks. The buds are heat treated to provide interference colors ranging from yellow to vibrant violet and breezes will gently pinwheel some of the blossoms adding a soothing life-like feeling.