The Edina Public Art Committee (EPAC) has a new chairwoman. Barbara La Valleur took the helm from Lois Ring on October 1. La Valleur is so excited about the role that public art could play in Edina that, after being appointed, she self-published a book titled Edina Sculptures: The Promenade and Grandview Square Park.
“I treasure the relationship between art and our everyday lives,” says La Valleur, whose background includes 45 years of photojournalism experience in Minnesota and North Dakota, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Europe, where she lived for 20 years and freelanced for German newspapers. “I’m thrilled at the opportunity to head this important committee for the city and am passionate about impacting art and culture in Edina.”
Since becoming chair of EPAC, La Valleur has sought out artists, city leaders, business owners and the public to learn their interests and opinions on public art. “I’ve engaged in extraordinary conversations with people viewing our sculptures while walking on the Promenade, sitting in Grandview Square Park and shopping at 50th and France,” she says.
This year, EPAC is exploring the possibility of wrapping utility boxes, enhancing buildings with murals and adding art in sidewalk paving. The committee will determine in March which artworks will appear in the next exhibition.
