The Star - News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area

An art committee made up of local residents will soon begin the process of selecting some $140,000 work of artwork for the new K-12 school complex.

Under state law, 1 percent of public funds for construction projects must be put aside to purchase artwork. Covered by this requirement this is the original $14 million provided by the state for the project.

About half of the art allowance will come through the Washington State Arts Commission, which will provide ideas of specific professional art for selection.

Those named to the art selection group are Susan Chaffee, Carla Marconi, Lori Adkins, Nate Piturachsatit, Lisa Carlson, Lonna Bussert and Susan Duclos.

Art will be located in the elementary wing gym and in both cafeterias, Superintendent Dennis Carlson suggested.

The group will need to meet and make selections soon so that, if it takes some adjustment by the general contractor, he will know about it in time.

Carlson said existing artwork by Keith Powell and Virgil “Smoker” Marchand currently located at the Grand Coulee Dam Middle School will be removed and relocated to the new site.

Trophies and class pictures will also find a home in the new building complex.

Carlson stated that a picture of Wright Elementary with its history is destined for the new site.