Dexter Village Council Approves Temporary Artwork from Michigan Artists

The Village of Dexter will soon be home to four temporary sculptures as part of the village's public art pilot program.

The village council voted 6-1 on Monday, with Trustee Donna Fisher absent, to approve four sculptures from area artists recommended by the village's Arts, Culture & Heritage Committee.

A spiral ring sculpture designed by Rick DeTroyer of Chelsea will be installed in Lion's Park next to the . DeTroyer is a metal sculptor who uses natural elements, found parts, and metal scraps in his works. DeTroyer often incorporates agriculture and automotive themes in his work. DeTroyer's works are displayed at the Chelsea Community Hospital, City of Saline, and City of Chelsea.

Michael Jones Gregory will display a polyurethane piece titled "Ceol Tire" (Irish folk music) near the . Gregory said the piece is meant to invoke the serenity of making music. Gregory has a Master of Fine Arts degree from Michigan State University and has been involved in art shows in Farmington Hills, Chelsea, and Grand Rapids.

Brian Ferriby of Farmington Hills will display his "Dreadnought" welded steel piece near the Jeffords/Main Street Plaza. Chicago artist Jim Himmelfarb's abstract truck sculpture will also be installed near on Main Street. Himmelfarb has art displayed at Logan Airport in Boston, Mass., and the University of Nebraska.

All works were selected by a committee comprising of three Arts, Culture & Heritage Committee members, one representative from the village council, one representative from the village Parks and Recreation Department, one representative from the Downtown Development Authority and one representative from the Planning Commission.

Each artist will receive a $200 stipend and will have their work installed beginning in July.

Following a brief presentation on the artworks, Trustee Jim Smith recommended that the council approve each piece individually rather than as a group.

"Art, I realize is in the eye of the beholder, and some people may not like one piece or another, but the fact is this was a committee decision. We had a committee set up to chose the art, and it operated very well," trustee Paul Cousins said. "I think voting on the art individually is the wrong thing to do. It's an insult to the committee and it sets a bad precedent going forward."

The motion was defeated 4-2.