Two new public art installations welcome people and embellish the already elegant Aurora Municipal Court building, 14999 E. Alameda Parkway; the art was publicly commissioned to consider the themes of justice and the diverse Aurora community.
An art selection panel composed of community members, artists, an elected official, a judge and the city’s court administrator selected the proposals from artists AJ Davis and Bimmer Torres, each taking distinctly different approaches to their projects.
“Colorado Consonance” by AJ Davis is a series of eight small works created for existing niches in the jury room. The series of coherent artworks represents “themes of justice while highlighting local wildlife and ecology as key symbols and reflections of the community of Aurora,” according to Davis. For him, the jury room is as “a sacred container where delicate conversations unfold, conflicts find resolution and trust is nurtured.”
Bimmer Torres was selected to create a mural for the second-floor rotunda, titled “Multicultural Equilibrium.” Torres says that the mural “invites viewers to reflect on equality and fairness.” His style is bold and modern, using strong brushstrokes and vibrant colors. The nature of the courthouse and the activities within the building made it necessary for the mural to be created off site. Working in his studio, Torres painted on Polytab mural cloth (non-woven fabric), which was then applied to the wall.
“Beyond the reason people come to the municipal court, this new art embraces them and welcomes them as members of our community,” said Court Administrator Candance Atkinson. “The new art captures beautifully both justice and the people we serve, it makes me feel inspired and grounded every time I see it.”
“Public art is one of the most accessible ways to bring art to everyone, to be enjoyed as we go about our daily lives,” said Library and Cultural Services Director Ginger White Brunetti. “Adding art inside the city court through a public process that included diverse members of the community in the artist selection is a recipe for success, and the result shows. Both pieces are marvelous and capture the intention perfectly.”
Art installations “Multicultural Equilibrium” and “Colorado Consonance” are now part of the city of Aurora Art in Public Places Collection and can be experienced during operating hours of the municipal court, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. Since “Colorado Constance” is inside the jury room, at times, when the room is in use, will not be available.
The Art in Public Places Program includes over 300 pieces of art and is part of the city of Aurora Library and Cultural Services Department. To learn more, visit AuroraGov.org/PublicArt.
The Aurora Municipal Court handles traffic and misdemeanor cases written in city limits. To learn more, visit AuroraGov.org/Courts.