Omaha World-Herald

The new Missouri River pedestrian bridge should prove visually appealing to the metropolitan area’s residents and visitors, given the bridge’s attractive appearance, elegant arches and glowing views of the river.

Complementing the bridge will be several Iowa West Public Art projects, particularly
on the Iowa side of the bridge. Similar to the bridge itself, these artworks illustrate an opportunity to embrace new ideas for community appearance.

Indeed, these initiatives reflect forward momentum for Council Bluffs. The community also recently hosted the Iowa and Nebraska Public Art Networking Conference, which showed the potential for art collaboration and appreciation.

Council Bluffs rightly deserves praise for developing a master plan for public art, with more than 50 sites selected.

Here are several examples:

• The Playland Park site on the Council Bluffs side of the river will incorporate significant pieces of public art into its green space.

• A series of sculptures that will help the M id -Ame r i c a Center (MAC) forge a distinct
identity. The most dominant is “Molecule Man,“ a 50-foot aluminum sculpture that weighs approximately 33,000 pounds. It was created by Jonathan Borofsky, an internationally known artist.

Additionally, Omaha ceramist Jun Kaneko will soon unveil a 400-foot-long sculpture
garden at the MAC. Those pieces will join three sculptures unveiled last year by New York artist William King.

• A four-sculpture project by respected sculptor Albert Paley is to be built along the 24th Street Bridge at Interstates 29 and 80. The goal is to create an attractive gateway to Iowa and Council Bluffs.

Up until now, most people would not have thought of Council Bluffs as a hot spot for public art. But like Omaha, which is blessed with many great artists, Council Bluffs is well positioned to benefit greatly from such creations.