Project Delivery

Initiation

Defined project objectives and public-art outcomes in coordination with city leadership and project stakeholders.

Established project parameters including budget, schedule, site constraints, artistic goals, and community engagement expectations.

Developed a public-art strategy aligned with the broader Wagar Park revitalization project.

Planning

Prepared procurement documents including artist qualification requirements, proposal guidelines, technical specifications, evaluation criteria, and project schedules.

Established communication protocols among city departments, advisors, and selection panel members.

Identified project risks related to construction sequencing, fabrication requirements, stakeholder expectations, and public engagement.

Execution

Managed artist recruitment and proposal solicitation.

Facilitated review processes for qualifications, finalist proposals, interviews, and artist selection.

Coordinated design development activities between the selected artist, municipal departments, and implementation partners.

Supported integration of the artwork within the larger park redevelopment effort.

Monitoring and Control

Tracked project milestones, approvals, procurement activities, and installation readiness.

Managed stakeholder communication throughout the project lifecycle.

Evaluated design proposals against project objectives, technical requirements, budget constraints, and community goals.

Resolved issues affecting project delivery and maintained alignment with project expectations.

Closeout

Coordinated final design approvals, installation planning, and project documentation.

Facilitated transition from design development to fabrication and installation.

Documented project outcomes and lessons learned for future public-art initiatives.

Outcomes

The project successfully established a permanent public artwork as a key component of the Wagar Park revitalization effort.

The commission expanded the city's public-art program while creating a highly visible community asset designed to encourage creative play, social interaction, and neighborhood identity.

The project demonstrated the value of integrating public art within capital improvement projects through structured procurement processes, stakeholder engagement, and cross-departmental collaboration.

Reflection

The Wagar Park Street Mural project represents the intersection of design, public engagement, and project leadership.

While the final artwork serves as a visible public amenity, the project's success depended on coordinating diverse stakeholders, navigating public-sector processes, managing procurement and design development, and maintaining alignment between artistic vision and community goals.

This approach continues to inform my work leading exhibition, gallery, and capital projects today. Whether commissioning a public artwork, delivering a museum exhibition, or managing a capital improvement project, successful outcomes require equal attention to cultural impact, stakeholder relationships, and disciplined project execution.

Project Goal

As part of the revitalization of Wagar Park, the City of Lakewood commissioned a permanent public artwork to activate the park's circulation network and strengthen community identity through creative play and social engagement.

The project sought to transform a functional pavement surface into an interactive public space while complementing the broader park redevelopment effort. The artwork was intended to serve a diverse audience including families, children, seniors, neighborhood residents, and visitors who regularly utilize the park and surrounding community facilities.

Context

Wagar Park is a 1.6-acre neighborhood park located within a dense residential district of southwest Lakewood. The park serves a broad cross-section of residents and is situated within walking distance of schools, senior services, childcare programs, religious institutions, and multi-family housing.

The public art commission was conceived as part of the city's broader strategy to use public art as a tool for placemaking, community identity, and civic engagement. Following the success of a temporary street mural elsewhere in the city, Lakewood sought to establish a permanent public artwork integrated into a newly renovated neighborhood park.

The project required balancing artistic expression, public participation, technical constraints, accessibility considerations, construction schedules, and budget requirements within a publicly funded environment.

Leadership and Project Management

I managed the project from initiation through installation, serving as the primary coordinator between city departments, artists, community stakeholders, consultants, and implementation partners.

Key responsibilities included:

• Developed the project scope, goals, budget, and implementation strategy.

• Authored and administered the Request for Qualifications and Request for Proposals process.

• Established artist selection criteria and evaluation procedures.

• Coordinated the Public Art Advisory Group and multidisciplinary selection panel.

• Managed project schedules, procurement milestones, and stakeholder communications.

• Facilitated artist interviews, design reviews, and approval processes.

• Coordinated collaboration among Planning and Development, Public Works, Parks, and implementation partners.

• Oversaw community engagement and public feedback opportunities.

• Managed project risks related to schedule, budget, constructability, and public use.

• Coordinated final design approvals and installation planning.

• Directed project closeout activities and documentation.