ABQ Times

The Bernalillo County Board of Commissioners has approved a new public art project for the Westside Community Center. The initiative will feature a metal "billboard" designed by artists Eric J. Garcia and Shawn Coffey, to be placed atop the center's new event stage.

The 40-foot installation will use metal cutouts to display local imagery, including acequias, symbols of lowrider culture, and other historical representations. The design also incorporates cutouts of cottonwood trees, connecting it to the Rio Grande bosque. Leaf-shaped overhangs on the roof will provide shade for performers during summer months.

Eric J. Garcia is an award-winning visual artist known for his work in public art, including murals and large-scale installations. He will collaborate with Shawn Coffey, a self-taught sculptor with over 30 years of experience in metalworking. Both artists are from the South Valley and aim to create a piece that honors their roots while enriching the community.

Their collaboration seeks to celebrate the artistic heritage of the South Valley and includes opportunities for youth involvement. Both artists have experience mentoring young public artists and plan to involve them in this project’s construction. The Westside Community Center Public Art Project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2025 with a budget set at $40,000.

The motion was approved unanimously with a vote of 5 to 0.