Public art doesn't help the public

According to the story in the Olympian, Olympia Mayor Cheryl Selby, spending ridiculous amounts of money on sculptures must be a great idea. The artist of the piece, Cyrra Robinson, encourages viewers to empower themselves to explore and feel the works. It has made our downtown that much more fun to walk around, the mayor states.

Another $8,500 is being spent for “art” to be placed at the new City Hall. This truly is a comfort to those who cant find parking spaces within a reasonable distance to walk to downtown. And its a comfort to those already downtown to look at this art, while we are trying to watch where we’re walking, so as to not trip over a homeless person. Or their dog. Or all of their belongings.

If this happens though, we can feel good. We’ll just tell them to go feel empowered and see the art that tens of thousands of dollars has bought for their leaders to look at when they go to work. Shame on Mayor Selby, and the rest of you who approved this spending. The money could’ve helped in many other ways.

This story was originally published October 7, 2017 at 4:30 PM with the headline "Public art doesn't help the public."