10/22/2018- Two new public art projects are given the go-ahead by Marinette’s Finance and Insurance Committee. The group heard a request to provide a portion of the funding for a sculpture crafted by Jim LaMalfa that would stand near the entrance of Marinette Marine. While LaMalfa has donated much of his own time and material, an additional $10000 is required to complete the work. The second project was proposed by Kim Brooks of Rusty Wolfe Studio and involves creating artwork out of benches that could be placed primarily throughout Marinette’s downtown. Brooks has asked the City to kick-start that program by paying for four benches and believes other individuals and businesses will then pitch in to pay for additional ones. She says the initiative was designed to drive more traffic to the downtown area.
Brooks anticipates having the benches ready by next spring. The Committee recommended approving funding $16500 for the two projects. That money would come from the city’s Economic Development Funds.